Taking advantage of the new electricity law permitting states to generate and distribute their own electricity, Gombe State Government has signed an MoU with a Chinese firm for the construction of 100 megawatts solar energy project. This is a very ambitious move.
Gombe Signs MoU with Chinese Firm for 100 Megawatt Solar Energy Project
" We're Taking Advantage of New Enacted Electricity Act to Generate, Distribute Our Own Electricity ", [/b]Governor Inuwa Yahaya
Gombe State Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China18th Engineering, an international engineering firm renowned for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects, for the provision of a 100 Megawatt solar energy plant, as part of measures to enhance energy self-sufficiency in the state.
[b]This agreement was signed following recent engagements between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and top executives of China Railway 18th Bureau Group in China.
Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Ahmad Pindiga signed on behalf of Gombe State Government, while the Group Managing Director, Wan Lian Yu, signed for his company.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, speaking at the signing event at the Government House, Gombe, spoke on the importance of local power generation in driving economic growth and addressing frequent power outages.
“I am happy that today, we are hosting the management of the China 18th Bureau here in Gombe as a direct follow-up to our initial discussions in China. The MoU signifies the beginning of a transformative project that will boost electricity supply and bring prosperity to our people,” said Inuwa Yahaya.
He added that the agreement will soon advance to a formal contract phase, setting the groundwork for project implementation. “With the execution of this project, we anticipate the creation of jobs, increased investments, and a reliable energy supply that will drive prosperity in Gombe and the northeast,” he stated.
The Governor also referenced the recent nationwide blackout that affected Gombe and other parts of northern Nigeria, emphasizing that local power stations and alternative energy sources could mitigate such disruptions.
He stressed that his government is taking advantage of the newly enacted Electricity Act, which grants states the authority to generate, distribute, and market their own electricity, reducing dependence on the national grid.
"This partnership with China Railway 18th Bureau demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy solutions and economic resilience, with solar energy poised to become a reliable, eco-friendly alternative for the our growing energy demands".
The General Manager, International Engineering Company China Railway 18th Bureau Group, Mr. Xue Dewen, expressed confidence in his company’s ability to deliver a high-quality solar energy system, praising the Governor Inuwa's vision for energy independence and economic development in the state.
“Our company is fully prepared to execute this project with the highest standards,” he assured.
The event was attended by the Chief of Staff, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar and Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu, mni among other officials from both sides.
Ismaila Uba Misilli Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House Gombe
Snipers on roofs and US election staff in bulletproof vests, says official
Philadelphia's top prosecutor warns anyone who stirs up trouble will be dealt with swiftly and severely - amid fears Trump supporters could cause unrest if he loses or try to "bully" people.
Tuesday 5 November 2024
Snipers on rooftops and officials wearing bulletproof vests are among extreme measures at some US voting locations, according to a senior election official.
Barbed-wire fencing has also been put up at several places that saw trouble in the wake of the 2020 presidential vote, Tammy Patrick told Sky News.
It comes as Philadelphia's district attorney, Larry Krasner, told troublemakers to stay away, warning: "We're not playing. F around and find out."
Ms Patrick, chief programme officer at the National Association of Election Officials, said 40% of workers had already experienced threats or abuse.
There are fears officials could be at risk as votes are cast and counted, or that violence could break out if Donald Trump loses and disputes the result.
"Election officials have had to take some extreme measures to make sure they have protected not only themselves and their staff, but the literal ballots that contain the voices of their voters," said Ms Patrick.
She said some staff had resorted "to implementing bulletproof vests" while counting centres in places such as Maricopa County, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, had put up barbed wire.
"There are snipers on top of buildings around some of this country's election offices. These are extraordinary times," Ms Patrick told Sky News.
Metal fences were also being put up on Monday near the White House in Washington DC, not far from the infamous storming of the Capitol building after the last election.
The Maricopa County tabulation centre - in downtown Phoenix - was a flashpoint for rigged election conspiracy theorists four years ago and security has now been beefed up.
'Drones around polling stations'
County Sheriff Russ Skinner said his department was on "high alert" with drones monitoring activity around polling stations and snipers and other assets ready if needed.
"There will be zero tolerance on anything related to criminal activity," added Mr Skinner.
Arizona and Nevada are two of the seven key swing states expected to tip the balance and decide who becomes president.
Concerns of unrest have ratcheted up due to the extremely close nature of the contest and Donald Trump's claims - without evidence - that election cheating is already taking place.
He's also repeatedly told supporters he can only lose if Democrats cheat and has refused to say whether he will accept the results.
Pennsylvania is another swing state - and carries more weight than the others due to its 19 electoral college votes. On Monday officials there gave a blunt warning to would-be troublemakers.
"Anybody who thinks its time to play militia, F around and find out," warned Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
"Anybody who thinks it's time to insult, to deride, to mistreat, to threaten people, F around and find out," he added.
"We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons.
"So if you're going to try to turn an election into some form of coercion, if you're going to try to bully people, bully votes or voters, you're going to try to erase votes, you're going to try any of that nonsense, we're not playing. F around and find out. That's what we're going to do."
The worst scenario and the one most likely to spark trouble is Trump losing and refusing to concede defeat, according to Peter Simi, a sociology professor who has researched threats against public officials.
He told Reuters unrest could be "dispersed, diffuse events across multiple locations" rather than a repeat of the mass storming of the US Capitol building.
davidif: Wait, i thought David Lammy was a Tory (Conservative)? How is a cabinet minister for the opposition party? Please someone familiar with UK politics should school me on this.
People often mix up David Lammy and Kwasi Kwarteng. Kwasi is a tory (he was the chancellor of the exchequer in Liz Truss' government), while Lammy is labour.
Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority LAMATA @Lamataonline
LAMATA kicks off groundwork on Quality Bus Corridors
As part of efforts to improve on the state’s transportation systems, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has taken contractors who submitted bids for the construction of the quality bus corridors to familiarize them with project corridors and alignments.
During the two-day site visits, the team visited quality bus corridor (QBC) package 1, 2, 3 project with the contractors.
The visits were carried out in line with Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Standard Procurement Document (SPD) and Lagos State public procurement agency (PPA) guidelines of procurement.
The entire project seeks to revamp three bus corridors, remodel and introduce walkways, laybys, construct new depots and terminals along the bus routes.
A total of 89 bus stops along the entire stretch which spans about 33,307 meters will be worked on, five new terminals will be built, and 13 existing terminals will be revamped.
The project will support the bus network in the highlighted corridors below; (QBC) Package 1- Yaba, Lawanson to Cele and Ketu, Alapere to Akanimodo. (QBC) Package 2 , Iju-ishaga, Abule Egba to Agege, and (QBC) Package 3 Iyana Iba – Igando.
The project also accommodates the provision of drivers’ lounge, wash bay, security houses, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority LAMATA @Lamataonline
LAMATA Compensates Property Owners and Tenants for Quality Bus Corridor Project
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has commenced payment of compensation to property owners affected by the Quality Bus Corridor project in Ojuelegba and tenants in Lawanson.
Tenants in Ojuelegba began receiving compensation cheques on October 10, 2024.
As part of this initiative, LAMATA’s Managing Director, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo presented cheques to some of the affected individuals today.
Engr. Akinajo expressed gratitude to the affected persons for their cooperation and understanding, emphasizing the importance of their sacrifices for the future of Lagos State.
She highlighted the Government’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding those contributing to such significant projects.
The presentation of cheques to property owners began on the 1st of November 2024 at the Surulere Local Government.
Those with complete documentation verified by the Lagos State Lands Bureau received their cheques, while others were instructed to visit the LAMATA’s head office today.
During the cheque presentation, representatives from the Ojuelegba CDA, including its Assistant Secretary, Olusegun Bamiduro, who represented the Chairman Mr. Saheed Bakare and Chairman of the Landlord and Tenants Association Alhaji Hakeem Bolaji thanked LAMATA and the Lagos State Government for bringing development to the area. They acknowledged the long engagement process, dating back to 2022, and expressed appreciation to all parties involved.
Additionally, they requested LAMATA to consider employing local youths during the project's construction and post-construction phases.
The Quality Bus Corridor Package 1 - Ojuelegba-Yaba-Lawanson-Cele is funded by Agence Francaise de développement and the Lagos State Government. It aims to modernize bus shelters and introduce intelligent transport systems to prioritize regulated public transport buses along three corridors identified for implementation.
Key LAMATA officials, including Technical Adviser, Corporate and Investment Planning, Engr. Osa Konyeha, Technical Adviser, Roads and Infrastructure, Engr. Adeyemi Adeniji, Mrs. Ibironke Omorhirhi and Engr. Babatunde Osho from Global Impact Environmental Services, who is a consultant to LAMATA on the project, were present at the cheques presentation ceremony.
The British High Commission Nigeria and High Commissioner @RMontgomeryUK are very pleased to welcome UK Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon @DavidLammy to Nigeria! We look forward to a productive and successful Visit. @FCDOGovUK 🇬🇧🤝🇳🇬
Richard Montgomery @RMontgomeryUK
Delighted to welcome @DavidLammy to Nigeria, in his first visit to Africa as Foreign Secretary. A visit focused on strengthening the 🇬🇧🇳🇬 partnership for the benefit of both our countries.
Politics › Re: Gombe Signs MoU With Chinese Firm For 100 Megawatt Solar Energy Plant by naptu2(op): 6:50am On Nov 06, 2024
