₦airaland Forum

Of course Jan 14 is more important than Feb 14 just as being a graduate is more important than NYSC.

How you go do Valentine if money no dey!

We are talking about traffic, not fake or not.

A link to the news was provided - it could be true.

OP, are you one of those reporters our comedians do talk about - observing and asking questions about 50km away from scene without photos.

Can she try with handkerchief?
Then I will give her round of applause.

Businessideas:
Jesus has already told us how He wants to be remembered.Justifying a day to remember his birth is unnecessary and doesn't address the concern raised against Christmas celebration. His death is the most important in the scheme of Christian salvation.

Did you read at all?

Of course. It is idolatry.

And there is difference between celebration and observation.

Jesus Christ was definitely born a day, and a day has been set aside for that purpose.

II. How Did Christmas Come to Be Celebrated on December 25?

A. Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration. The festival began when Roman authorities chose “an enemy of the Roman people” to represent the “Lord of Misrule.” Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week. At the festival’s conclusion, December 25 th , Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman.

B. The ancient Greek writer poet and historian Lucian (in his dialogue entitled Saturnalia ) describes the festival’s observance in his time. In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license; and consuming human-shaped biscuits (still produced in some English and most German bakeries during the Christmas season).

C. In the 4 th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.

D. The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25 th, to be Jesus’ birthday.

E. Christians had little success, however, refining the practices of Saturnalia. As Stephen Nissenbaum, professor history at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst, writes, “In return for ensuring massive observance of the anniversary of the Savior’s birth by assigning it to this resonant date, the Church for its part tacitly agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it had always been.” The earliest Christmas holidays were celebrated by drinking, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets (a precursor of modern caroling), etc.

F. The Reverend Increase Mather of Boston observed in 1687 that “the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens’ Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian ones.” Because of its known pagan origin, Christmas was banned by the Puritans and its observance was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681. However, Christmas was and still is celebrated by most Christians.

G. Some of the most depraved customs of the Saturnalia carnival were intentionally revived by the Catholic Church in 1466 when Pope Paul II, for the amusement of his Roman citizens, forced Jews to race naked through the streets of the city. An eyewitness account reports, “Before they were to run, the Jews were richly fed, so as to make the race more difficult for them and at the same time more amusing for spectators. They ran… amid Rome’s taunting shrieks and peals of laughter, while the Holy Father stood upon a richly ornamented balcony and laughed heartily.”

H. As part of the Saturnalia carnival throughout the 18 th and 19 th centuries CE, rabbis of the ghetto in Rome were forced to wear clownish outfits and march through the city streets to the jeers of the crowd, pelted by a variety of missiles. When the Jewish community of Rome sent a petition in1836 to Pope Gregory XVI begging him to stop the annual Saturnalia abuse of the Jewish community, he responded, “It is not opportune to make any innovation.” [6] On December 25, 1881, Christian leaders whipped the Polish masses into Antisemitic frenzies that led to riots across the country. In Warsaw 12 Jews were brutally murdered, huge numbers maimed, and many Jewish women were raped. Two million rubles worth of property was destroyed.

Well explained.

http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/Christmas_TheRealStory.htm

Sexxkillz:
[color=#000030]Over good. . .

Idiot chelsea can't stop winning though. [/color]

Most painful part aswear. Seems they are cursed.

Happy new year bro.

georgee:
Bro..No news ooooooo...

All shall be well bro.
my heart is with you.

zicoraads:
...and all I want is for AEDC to supply me power 24/7 and I'll pay for it. My family house in Minna here that area has been literally begging for a prepaid meter all to no avail. So I don't see how your analogy of this and a supermarket making much sense. Give us prepaid meters...give us power and we'll pay. If any one refuses to pay, cut them off!

Do you think AEDC manufactures power?

They buy from Transysco which also buys from Genco.

Transysco can't sell what they don't have. It will be the joy of AEDC to buy more to have more gains, but....

Most times Shiroro GENCO will call AEDC through Transysco to drop loads on emergency to avoiding system collapse as a result consumption being greater than allocation.

And AEDC controls 4 states - Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger.

How do you expect AEDC to share 300MW of allocation to 4 states with 24/7 supply.

My brother, you better direct your bitterness to the government to do something about Genco and Transysco.

Even Transysco's weak infrastructure due to poor maintenance and upgrade can't evacuate more than 5000MW from Gencos.

donguutti:
Thank you, ayobase for your comments. but then again your position is the default position of most Disco
employees , who blame consumers for all ills...

You are welcome Sir.

Well, I never blamed consumers for any ill, but been only imploring them to help curtail the staff (marketers) of frivolities and fraudulent act by reporting to the main office with proofs.

Some consumers are paying into some marketers' accounts, and among others.

donguutti:
...
On bypassing, why have most discos not utilized the new prepaid meters such as that used by Ikedc and Ekedc,
they are difficult to bypass unlike the older versions....

We have been installing some intelligent ones though, but I hope they absorb new and better technology if former is no longer capable.

donguutti:
...
On Estimated billing and Overbilling, I noticed you provided some information as to Feeder allocation time aka Load shedding
data, why have discos refused to make this info public? as it would expose over billing and reckless behaviour.The electricity
sector is Under monitored and its weird that you suggest monitoring by consumers and non monitoring by Discos...

We don't make load shedding schedule known to the public against vandals invitation.

Not making it known has nothing to do with reckless behaviour or over billing, since a consumer can easily compute what he/she has consumed within a month from the readings taken.

The electricity sector is not under monitored, but corruption as a result of exposure to opportunity to amass wealth illegally.

You can imagine a marketer furnishing a consumer with his account for bill payment.

donguutti:
...
In a former post you wrote

"

If Discos do not realize they are no longer Fully public but partially privatized(40% government interest), then they have
themselves to blame.Back Nitel failed to Monitor and effectively bill usage by customers, Mtn . Glo , etc did not
Guess which system won.

We have Power Regulating Bodies, and of which I can say AEDC is one of the best, if not the best for abiding by rules and regulations from those bodies.

I don't think AEDC might have given in to the request from Niger's last protest if Government's share is not involved.

Any loss from this exercise might be from the 40% - I'm just saying.

zicoraads:
I use a prepaid meter. But for those who don't, I'll assume it's for October.

As to you first question regarding the hours we used to have light, the answer is yes...

Okay.
Correct.

zicoraads:
...
But then I'll really like to know how the state government is responsible for this. Because from what I know, he has been complaining bitterly on the situation of power in Minna. He even wrote a letter to the president threatening action. I don't know if you are aware of it...

State Government is not responsible, but involved.
Power supply in Minna was far better before now, until privatization. Government was free for all despite not getting paid equivalently, and one of the reasons for privatization.

And you can't expect to have more supply than your allocation from Gencos.

Minna, a micro part of Niger State is being allocated 15MW daily with Chanchaga consuming 10MW, Tunga about 6MW, Shiroro about 4MW, Piggery about 4MW, Bosso about 7MW, Maitumbi about 7MW... Analyse how those feeders can enjoy supply for at least 4hrs daily.

That being addressed, I think your protest was for 24hrs supply daily. Are you getting the 24hrs yet?

My brother, what you know is far below what you have no idea about.

zicoraads:
...
No individual or group is bigger than the government. What those boys in Barkin Sale and other places do is to vent their anger. When they hardly see power and bills keep coming at the end of the month, how do you expect them to act? This still boils down to provision of those meters that are almost, if not impossible to bypass...

Of course no individual is greater than any government.

AEDC bought the company including all the debts during privatization, so not paying for what they consumed when enjoying steady supply years ago is a crime.

Ols, can you tell me the percentage of share the Federal Government has in AEDC?

zicoraads:
...
Why is it so difficult for those to be provided? All we want is pay as you use, simple! I don't believe an area beat up your staff because they didn't want prepaid meters to be installed. When in the same state, some areas like Mandela around Sauka Kahuta are begging for same. Besides, there was no willingness on your part to install (that is if you people even tried). What happened to getting men of the NSCDC involved?...

Pay as you use?

Have you fully paid, or intend paying for the used yet.

You don't believe an area beat up our staff, but you know the state government has been writing the presidency to complain bitterly over Niger state power supply.

Getting men of the NSCDC involved?

Who will want to die or be battered for the government who is known to be most times unconcerned.

Or do you expect the attached NSCDC men to AEDC staff to unleash bullets on the youths for refusing AEDC staff entrance into their territory in order to carry out official duties.

Prepaid meters are being ordered for based on specifications, and we are not ordering in tens or hundreds - metering everyone is certain.

You were metered not along ago I think - na gradual process.

Just try pay (part of) up your old debts, before digressing to prepaid meter.

zicoraads:
...
It is not our duty to report people who bypass meters. It is your duty to monitor and protect your installations. The telecommunication companies do it all the time. We have just decided to start, depending on the response we get from you...

That's it.

As police will say, "Report any suspicious movement or criminal case in your environment".

How I wish Power is also wireless.

How do telecommunication companies do it all the time? Enlighten me please - no tell me "ask Google".

zicoraads:
...
Quick question, is it our duty to buy transformers in our areas or poles and wires when they are stolen, worn out or become inadequate? Or its your duty...

If the AEDC can't give us power, then they should move out. After all, when they bid and won, they didn't pile up a bucket full of excuses as to why it's impossible to give power.

I just hope you will be at the office tomorrow, see you when we come

We have been replacing and reparing items mentioned over the months and years.

On a lighter mode, how do you expect us to replace your transformer, poles and cables when we have not been making any profit from you.


You asked us to move out. Do you have any other option(s) besides AEDC, and fuel or diesel powered generator.


I am yet to see you guys protest despite not having light for the past 3 days.



My brother, you need to know more about power sector. Seriously!

odogwubiafra:
Certainly you have an in-depth knowledge, no doubt. But with an unbiased monitoring team, you can checkmate loss of revenue/energy as the case may be, just like we have military police checking the activities of military men to avoid external disgrace.....

My brother, this is Nigeria where corruption and greed thrive especially when 'uncontrolled' financial atmosphere is involved.

Even the Military is still having external disgrace despite the monitoring team involved.

An unbiased monitoring team can be compromised when huge financial palm greasing is involved.

Power can be well monitored and managed if wireless, but since a physical medium is involed, then tampering is inevitable.

Some faithful consumers can help out to mark some corrupt marketers and Discos officers for scapegoating.

odogwubiafra:
...

As a typical Nigerian, my survival strategy will be to by-pass the metre, cause the letter l wrote in February 2016, concerning similar issue in my wife's shop is still missing as l write. As long as Nigeria public/civil service is concerned, they treat such cases with disdain. This is because wether you have light or not, the bill comes. In fact, they make more money when you don't have light cos they pay less to the generation and still gives us assumed bills..

That's always the deliberate aftermath when one is cheated - bypass.

Many things are not just working in this Country.

This reminds me of what 'Consumers' Right Protection' Agencies are doing.

laudate:
The house had (and still has) the old analogue meter. As for taking meter readings, none of the Disco's staff has done that in the last one year.

Unfortunately, I had no means of recording what the Marketing Manager said (either by phone or e-mail), as he made the statement verbally, while he was scrutinising the billing report. I have written several letters on this issue, and nothing has been done yet.

As for him conniving with his field marketing staff...well, now that you have mentioned it, it could be a possibility. He was vehemently against any reversal of the bill, claiming that his hands were tied. By who? I wonder?

The Marketing Manager simply took advantage of you as you have no any proof to counter what you are being fraudulently charged.

If I were you, I will start marshaling out scheme to trap him against any future occurrence to defrauding you.

georgee:
My grandma went out since sat 24th december 2016 around 6am and she has not been found. Me, my mum, and everybody have been looking for her since. She stays in Sanusi street Ijeshatedo Surulere Lagos.
.
We have been to the police station, Hospitals, mortuary.. Still no success. She is around 82yrs old. We spent the whole of christmas lookn for her. Pls anybody who has seen her shuld pls contact me.
.
Her name is Bamidele Egbedi from Delta state.

Any good news yet?

PentiumPro:
It's virtually impossible to by-pass the type of new prepaid meters Ikeja Electric is using now.

Must everything be sophisticatedly monitored in this country before we can have results.

Why will Nigerians by-bass in the first place. U guess they have enjoyed paying tokens for using heavy supply for A/cs, hot plates and the likes of heavily consuming electrical appliances.

You can see some ironing while watching TV.
Many are careless with energy conservation.


Definitely, it will be difficult to balance their unnecessary luxuries, wastages and carelessness with the new prepaid meter, thereby by-passing.

progress69:
We should go back to PHCN. Simple. All this excuses are very silly ones. The truth is that this discos were sold to family and friends, political associates and the likes, instead of competent firms who are experienced. Some of the owners of these discos are actually major importers of Generators and petroleum products.

Greatest mistake was selling out the Generation stations. And besides, the TCN line can't evacuate more than 5000MW.

So what has the government been doing before and after privatization to upgrade TCN facilities for evacuation of more supply from Gencos!

Discos are best maximized with contractors to manage for the Federal Government - the looting there was reeking when it was under government.

AZeD1:
The disco balance the non payment by overcharging people they know will pay... That's why they are not in a hurry to ensure all customers have meters...

I don't know about other locations, but consumers are literally fighting against and sabotaging installation of prepaid meters here in Minna.

AZeD1:
...The penalties are truly severe. It's just that no one enforces them.

Same Government has failed us then.

And you want Discos to thrive in an environment where government supports not and still owing them?

EnigmaticEnigma:
Then they will tell you Power ministry is ceremonial, smh

Shouldn't it be Fashola championing this law, lobbying law makers on strict laws (like 30 years imprisonment) for stealing even 1kw of energy

So why is Fashola there in the first place

When even Mr. Fashola himself might be stealing some KWs.

Government is hugely indebted to these Discos.

omohayek:
And what exactly did these "youths" do to deserve any such claim on the power? Were they involved in building the dam? Did they contribute their own money to its construction? At least with the oil-producing states there's the excuse of compensation for environmental damage, but what excuse is there in Niger state? How does any of this make you different from the thugs who go around blowing up pipelines and then turn around to demand "protection" contracts?

This is nothing more than blatant rent-seeking, borne out of the same entitlement mentality that leads so many Nigerians to want 24-hour electricity despite not being willing to pay realistic prices for it, and not even being willing to pay the full sum of what they're being charged at artificially low prices. Simply being born or living in a part of the country doesn't entitle you to something you had no hand in creating, maintaining or operating. If you want to know why so many things in Nigeria aren't working, I suggest you begin by looking at yourself and your fellow "youths" who think the world owes them something.

Thanks for this.

zicoraads:
...


The government should first provide power. If they do, we'll know if Nigerians are ready to pay or not. We can't make assumptions based on insinuations.


..

What month are you being charged for if AEDC gives you bill at the beginning of November?

a. November consumption.
b. December consumption.
c. October consumption.

zicoraads:
The regional manager, I think..

The Regional Manager I know wouldn't debunk that - maybe he said 'not everybody pays'.

Besides, none of the AEDC's management was allowed to say a word during the protest.

zicoraads:
...
I live around M.I Wushishi Estate. And no, the march was not for wrong reasons. It has yielded some results...

Wushishi along Dana Pharmaceutical company is under Tunga feeders, and Tunga feeder is one of the major feeders that enjoy supply when Chanchaga, Bosso,Maitumbi, Morris, Kpakungu, GRA, and other locations are not having supply.

You did have light from 10am - 1pm, 7pm -10pm and 12am-3am before this protest.

Am I wrong?

The protest yielded result because the state government had to come in. Nobody can hold any DISCO company at ransom when profit is non-negotiable.

zicoraads:
...And another one is being prepared. Areas like Shiroro road usually get almost 22 hours, and not because they pay bills consistently but because their line is probably the one that takes light to IBB and Abdulsalami's hilltop mansion...

Another one is being prepared, but it boils down to the role of the state government will be playing.

You will be at loss if you destroy any AEDC property due to whatever reason - not a threat.

AEDC wouldn't mind moving Minna staff to other locations if a little bid bad becomes bad.

The state government is responsible for the power woes we are facing.


Yes, if you are coming from shiroro traffic light junction, the residents by the left do enjoy 24hrs supply becasuse they reside under 33kv Zarume feeder which feeds 33/11KV Zarume injection substation, and not to IBB and Abbulsalam's hilltop mansion. Those you mentioned don't care about supply from the grid, but generator.

These same residents nearly beat up the AEDC officers due to installation of prepaid meter they are rejecting.

zicoraads:
...
Meetings are already being convened for the second one, which will be bigger. What the youths of the states are asking for now is way bigger. They want a certain percentage from the power being generated in the state. Just like what is obtainable with the oil producing states. They want at least 22 hours of power in the entire state...

Nothing is way bigger than the company provided Genco and TCN can provide with the Disco maximizing profit.

Negotiate with the PRIVATISED Shiro, Jebba and Kainji Generating stations if you want certain percentage from the power generated in the state. And I hope it won't be for free cos free fuel is not negotiable in oil producing states.

AEDC can even provide 26hrs supply per day if every consumer will work hands in hands with them, but have you heard about Kpakungu, Barkin Sale, Chanchaga residents who always beat up AEDC staff as a result revenue collection, disconnection, or load shedding.

zicoraads:
...
And whose responsibility is it to give prepaid meters? Isn't that the best way to remove instances of people refusing to pay bills? And if anyone bypasses, we would personally pick them up and hand them over to the AEDC or police for persecution.

How many of the corrupt marketers and fraudulent consumers do you know of and reported so far.

zicoraads:
This statement 'Nigerlites don't pay bills' was debunked by their manager that day. Because this is what some people would tell you, so we wanted to hear from the horse's mouth. Na only we dey for Nigeria?

Nigerlites are the most peaceful, law abiding people, ever. I always wondered why some people said it's because we don't pay bills. Rather, the man was giving an epistle about the issues surrounding power in Nigeria.

No one is going back. They were told this is just the first leg, and that if things start sliding again, they should expect another. I think it has to do with vigilance. Nigerians have this laid back approach to issues like this, which is why we are easily taken for granted. If Nigerians start marching to those in power with various demands pertaining to what ought to be ours, they would surely sit up and listen.

Which of the managers pls?

Many consumers will complain at the head office that they don't have light due to one fault or the other, but we do realize most of them have not even paid their bills for months upon arrival.

Can I know your location in Minna before I further on?

You can march for a wrong motive, and not every march yields positive result.

AEDC didn't fail Nigerlites.

Do you think I also enjoy staying without light?

Abujaexpress:
The laws are already there, but even the Discos don't have the zeal and willingness to use same against the default consumer, because the status quo benefit the Discos more

Marketers have been dismissed, and some imprisoned.

For Law to be effective, evidences/proofs are needed.

Many corrupt marketers are being shielded since the consumers benefit from them.

But same consumers will start crying foul play when their partners in criminal is being replaced with another prudent and just marketer.

Yes, the DISCOs have their weaknesses, but most of those weaknesses can be tackled with no-nonsense customers.

koxi:
You're obviously an INSIDER since u know atc&c losses, bypass and energy theft. Kudos to u

Thanks.

laudate:
So is it right to punish the innocent, for the sins of the guilty? The Discos do not realise that this method breeds resentment in the hearts and minds of those who receive such outrageous bills, especially when it is so easy to tell that the power supply they have received in a particular month is NOT commensurate with the bills, they have been given. So of course, they might decide not to pay or to challenge such bills.

This is how we were given a bill of almost 65,000 naira in my family house on the mainland once, and I went to Eko Disco office to lodge a complaint. Before then, the average monthly bill was like 7k - 8k. And there was nobody living in the building except a security guard/caretaker. The Marketing Manager admitted clearly that they made an error in their calculation of the estimated bill, but told me flatly there was nothing they could do about it. I should just pay the bill.

Well since I am not a politician or a Naira-bet pools agent with excess cash, I declined. They disconnected power from the house for over 8 months, and I ignored them. There was no one living there anyway, just a caretaker.

We are still dragging the matter till today and exchanging plenty grammer, as we speak.

Discos are having major challenge with the marketers though.

Is your house metered?

I hope you were able to record what the Marketing Manager said. He admitted they made a mistake, and still expects you to pay up.

He must have been conniving with his field marketers to rip people off.

Ask your security guard if the marketers do come around to take meter readings monthly.

odogwubiafra:
Is either you are for them, or you work with them. All the DISCOS know exactly what they are doing. In a situation where you give a consumer assumed bill when he/she has a metre is totally unacceptable.

When the different DISCOs started issuing out prepaid metres through their marketers and the field workers, both the marketers and the field workers noticed that with time, there will be no need for the plenty field workers and marketers. They introduced some consumers on how to by-pass the metres, so that at anytime, there will still be need for physical presence of fieldworkers for either fault resolution or monitoring.

Until they give one what one has consumed according to the metre reading, Nigerians will always by-pass.

Report those marketers.

Make a video of them as evidence to back up your claim.

Many have been dismissed, and some imprisoned, but we need Nigerians to support the Discos to flush out corruption.

The company bills based on what marketers' meter readings. Some marketers wouldn't go on field work to take readings, but making estimated readings and you will definitely get estimated billings.

What to do;

1. Always monitor what you consume monthly with screenshots.

2. Have your copies of paid bills.

3. Know the marketer responsible for your cluster.

4. When there is any discrepancy, write the head Disco office in your area, and copy the Area Manager, Senior Manager (Distribution), Head Marketer and OMS.

With your evidence, you can move mountain when you are being disconnected for not paying for what you never consumed.

cirmuell:
Yeah she did...thanks bro.

We thank God.
My regards.

latola05:
IBEDC is the worst of them all. I live around Iyana Church-Lalupon road (Ibadan), all they are interested in is just to collect bribes from unmetered consumers and the community hardly enjoy 5hrs of electricity at a stretch in a whole week. They claim they are broke to invest in a capital project that will energize the communities concerned, I am yet to see electricity overnight for the past two years that I have been residing in this community. SHAME ON YOU IBEDC . It is now very glaring that the whole privatization exercise was full of fraud, the importers of generators and sellers of PMS dont care about the people, all they are after is their daily sales as a result of the darkness. The truth is that most of the DISCOs top executes are the true owners of generator selling companies.

The way out of this mess is for everyone to switch to SOLAR POWER energy, I dont know why the leaders dont want to take Nigerians out of darkness since 1960. What a country to live in without 24hrs electrictity....

Change is gradual bro. And nobody wants to invest in whatever that won't yield.

A company will want to do more if happy about the returns from 5 hrs.

Stop giving those ruining marketers money without document to back it up.

Besides, you are also one of those sabotaging the progress of power sector if you have been giving money to remain connected without having account with the company.

AZeD1:
But right now, the discos can and make money if you don't use power so why will you having a meter favour them?

Yes, from estimated billings, and you can refuse to pay, but you can't refuse to pay with prepaid metre in place.

AZeD1:
There are laws against power theft.

Then not pronounced like others - More reasons people don't care.
What are the penalties?

Abujaexpress:
If consumers bypass prepaid meter, it is the Discos's fault. What stopped them from deploying a more robust technology to check mate meter bypassing?

Why will a consumer (not customer) bypass in the first place - we all see reasons we are still here!

Change starts with individuals.

Average Nigerians will want to cheat no matter how - it is in the blood.

Instead of Discos wasting money on more robust technology to check make meter bypassing by cheating Nigerians and Discos' staff, why can't the government pass a law against power theft and make it well renowned.