Plans to increase electricity tariffs are in their concluding stages, and they will start to take effect next month.

The new tariffs will see most customers’ electricity bills rise as much as 40% on the average (head count).

But some other customers will be paying even more than a 40% increase, while some could pay as little as 5% extra.

Based on the proposals submitted by the Distribution companies to NERC the regulator, this is how much customers will be paying, depending on the Disco that serve them, and the area in which they reside.

Abuja Disco proposed to raise tariffs for its customers by 48 per cent. Benin asked to raise its tariff by 61 per cent. Enugu Disco asked for a 60 per cent increase. Jos Disco proposed a 63 per cent hike and Ibadan Disco asked for a 56 per cent raise in its tariff to R1 customers.

Ikeja Disco wants to raise tariffs for its customers by 32 per cent, Kano 40 per cent, Port Harcourt 46 per cent and Yola 83 per cent. Eko Disco, at 5 percent requested the least increase in tariff.

NERC however promised to negotiate with the Discos and not hand them exactly what they asked.

The trend here is that customers in lagos will generally experience a lesser hike in tariff than customers in other locations.


This is because the Discos in Lagos experience lower relative collection losses than their peers in other areas, hence they wont need to hike prices as much as the others.

R1 customers are those that consume less than 50 kilowatts.

Government regulated electricity rates have hindered Discos from raising enough revenue to pay the Gencos. Consequently, the Gencos have not being able to pay the gas suppliers for the gas which is used to power the generating plants.

The domino effect is threatening to disrupt the chain of electricity generation in the country.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/news-analysis-based-on-your-location-this-is-how-much-you-might-be-paying-for-electricity-next-month/

While the President and the country’s security apparatus is focused on battling islamist insurgency in the North East, an even more deadly conflict is brewing in the North Central/Middle Belt region.

According to reports, about 1,000 lives have been lost in the middle belt since President Buhari came into power in May 2015 alone.

This humanitarian crisis, which others call an ethnic cleansing, has been ongoing, and it is a struggle for resources. According to researchers at SBM Intel, authors of the report, which is titled ‘Terror in the food basket’, “we are one step away from a full blown genocide in the North Central of Nigeria”.

Although the conflict hasn’t yet acquired genocide status, the continued feigning of ignorance of the government will serve to accelerate the trend.

Also, further ignoring it will speed up the spread of the crisis from the north to the south, as was shown by the kidnap of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae in his farmland in Akure by Fulani herdsmen.

According to the researchers and authors of the report, “the images we have seen could be put amongst pictures from South Sudan at the height of the Sudanese Civil War; the Central African Republic during the anti-Balaka killings; or even the Boko Haram devastated towns and cities of North Eastern Nigeria and they would feel right at home”.

The primary cause of the conflict has been identified as the southward migration of Fulani herdsmen, who allegedly herd for wealthy people including retired army generals and governors of far northern states.

Their search for grazing land brings them into contention with indigenous people of the Middle Belt region for farmland, and according to residents of the affected areas.

There are much more herdsmen now than there were some years earlier. And added to their ranks are others who aren’t in the business of herding cattle.

According to the report, the conflict starts from when the herdsmen – new into the community – approach traditional rulers of the land for grazing rights. However, unlike their own culture where all lands belong to the ruler, the lands in the Middle belt are in many cases owned by the people. The native farmer ethnic groups cultivate their lands, which are one of their most important assets as a people along with the crops.

Working on the assumption that the land belongs to traditional rulers, these herdsmen come in and pay some traditional rulers for leave to graze on lands. Some of the chiefs take the money without informing their people.

After that, the herdsmen (with their ‘rights’) encroach and graze on the lands and crops of the native ethnic groups in the Middle Belt. Inevitably, the natives complain and the herdsmen take recourse to organized violence. When this happens, the herdsmen, who reportedly have powerful unions across West Africa report back to their powerful owners that the cattle are being rustled or killed, and then the Union organizes for protection to come. Protection – usually more mercenaries – accompany some of the herdsmen and attack villages where cattle have been rustled or killed.


The report says that of 12 such ‘herdsmen’ caught in Guma in 2013. Only one of them was Nigerian. The rest were foreigners.

The result of the violence is a loss of livelihood by affected natives. After having their crops destroyed, some respondents have not planted or harvested since 2006. Many others have been forced to relocate.

The result is that an area, which once served as the food basket of Nigeria, now experiences a shortage compared to previous years.

Also, “because the government has failed to respond adequately by protecting the lives and property of the citizens in the region, the herdsmen have grown bolder, and their perceived attempt to wipe out the native ethnic groups has quietly morphed into low intensity warfare”, the report says.

The continuous communal clashes in the region have greatly affected the production of food there, and distribution to other parts of Nigeria, is being adversely affected. The negative effect of the Middle Belt crisis is the constant hike in the price of commodities such as tomatoes, yam, onions, pepper, beans and beef, staples, which originate mainly from the North-Central, or have to pass through the North-Central en route Lagos.

Lagos, which is the commercial nerve of Nigeria with an estimated population of about 20 million people, depends greatly on farm produce from other states.

Food prices in Lagos for some common food items like tomatoes have increased by at least 225 per cent in the last two years, and in some cases, as high as 360 per cent, the report says.

A long-term solution to the problem will be setting up communal ranches, which will help the herdsmen improve meat and milk yields and unlock a new industry in the North to contribute to solving unemployment in the region. Investments in artificial irrigation to water the ranches will ensure that dry season grazing can be done in the region.

Also, the herdsmen must be made to know they must abide by Nigerian laws and only seek recourse for perceived grievances through the laid out justice system.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/how-conflict-in-the-mid-belt-is-morphing-into-genocide-and-drying-up-the-nations-food-source-in-the-process/

Guaranty Trust Bank released its financial results for the period ended 30th September 2015.

The result sowed that Gross Earnings rose 15% from N199 billion in Q3′ 2014 to N229 billion in Q3′ 2015.

Profit before tax also rose by 14% from N80 billion in Q3′ 2014 to N92 billion in Q3′ 2015.

See Summary of result below…


Guaranty Trust Bank Q3 2015 Sep-15 Sep-14 % Change
N’bn N’bn
Net Interest Income 120,129 105,335 14.04%
Commision Fees & Other Income 54,288 49,551 9.56%
Operating Expenses -73,840 -67,900 8.75%
Pre-tax profits 92,062 80,699 14.08%
Profit After Tax 75,160 66,743 12.61%
Current Share Price 25.50
more on...http://nairametrics.com/corporate-action-guaranty-trust-bank-declares-n75-billion-profit-after-tax-for-q32015/

Back in 2005 Nigeria did something unprecedented its history. It reached a deal with a band of external creditors to wipe out over $18 billion of dollars that was crushing the economy. That was former Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo Iweala’s signature deal in her first stint as Finance Minister.

From a debt balance of about $25.9 billion in 2004 we had shrunk our foreign debts to about $3.5 billion in 2006. Back then the mood around the country was so positive and optimistic as the proponents of the debt repayment deal believed that with a leaner debt balance Nigeria can now concentrate on fixing its dilapidated infrastructure. We all know how that optimism has fared 5 years after.

What we also know is that our foreign debts now stands at a whopping $10.3 billion up 191% from the $3.5 billion that it was after our debt write off deal. How did this happen under our watchful eyes? A look at the data from the Debt Management Office provides an interesting insight.

World Bank

Firstly, was an increase in loans from the World Bank , International Development Association (IDA). The IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. From a balance of about $1.4 billion in December 2006 the loan had more than tripled to $6 billion by June 2015. The loans started to increase again in 2009 three years after the debt repayment deal and during President Yaradua’s reign.

Then came China


Another major cause of the increase in our external debts was the loans from the Chinese Exim bank. Back in 2006 Nigeria had zero loans coming from China. However, as at June 2015 Chinese loans to Nigeria stood at about $1.3 billion. Nigeria obtained its first loan from China back in 2012 when it closed the year with a debt balance of about $683 million. The loan doubled to $1.29 billion by the end of 2014 contributing about 13% of the total external debt stock of the country.

More room to borrow?

Nigeria’s foreign debt to GDP is ratio is still about 2% whilst total public debt to GDP is about 13% leaving us in a somewhat perceived comfortable position. Our total debts in dollar terms was $63.8 billion as at June 2015 with the foreign debts contributing $10.3 billion of that amount. This is certainly not 2005 and shouldn’t be a major concern for the government. However, with a government that is bent on pushing its welfare policies, what we want to avoid is a repeat of the past when our foreign debts rose from $18.9 in 1985 to about $35.9 billion by 2004.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/nigerias-foreign-debt-is-up-191-since-the-paris-club-deal/

Up till the mid-eighties this was a great amount to spend in everyone’s pocket. It was not a matter of using it as “change” after a transaction, it was the actual amount used to purchase necessities. In fact, you get your “change” after the transaction.

If you were born in the seventies or early eighties then you’d agree fifty kobo was probably as reliable at N100 is today. We have several memories of what it could buy but I have my firm favourite. The list below is my top ten most important item 50 kobo could buy.



10 packs of candles @ 5kobo each – Back then there were no inverters and only rich people used generators. Candles were an essential commodity
5 litres of petrol @ 20kobo per litre – My dad was so shrewd he hardly spent more than 50 kobo on petrol.
Ekono Gowon sweets –  These were very long black sweets with a pencil mouth. They were locally made and tasted so sweet.
Could pay your telephone bills for a month with NITEL –
Could pay your NEPA bill for a month
5 electric bulbs (60watts) @ 10kobo each
3 cans of Carnation milk @ 15kobo each – If you belonged to a middle class family then you should remember this milk
A carton of biscuit – Okin comes to mind….especially the rectangular ones.
A role of 40 leaves exercise books – Remember 2A, 2D etc.
Transport –  There were no okadas back then so its either you take a danfo , taxi or kabu kabu. With 50 kobo, you are sure to get to your destination.
You may not agree totally with my list but these are my absolute essentials that 50kobo could surely afford. Is it different from yours? List yours.
More on..http://nairametrics.com/throw-back-here-are-ten-essential-items-you-could-buy-with-50-kobo/

United Bank for Africa(UBA) released its financial results for the nine months ended 30th September 2015. The results showed a 34% rise in pre-tax profits from N42billion in Q3 2014 to N57billion in Q3 2015.

See summary of result below…

UBA 9 Months Sep-15 Sep-14 % Change
N’bn N’bn
Net Interest Income 102,115 81,960 24.59%
Commision Fees & Other Income 40,578 36,178 12.16%
Operating Expenses -104,607 -93,460 11.93%
Pre-tax profits 57,366 42,543 34.84%
Profit After Tax 48,557 33,628 44.39%
Current Share Price 4.10
more on....http://nairametrics.com/corporate-action-uba-records-n57bn-in-pre-tax-profits-for-q3-2015/

Hmm

Keneking:


Sorry I meant Anambra
Peter Obi sef

Lol haba

sandraokosun:
pdp takes 8 slots in the first 10slots of stupidity

◾The World Bank has said that its $75 million loan to the Edo State Government was granted because it was convinced the government would use the funds judiciously to achieve its development goals.
◾Defending the decision of the global financial institution to grant the loan, two top executives of the World Bank, Mrs Gloria Joseph Raji and Dr Khwima Nthara said the Bank trusted Edo State Government to use the fund properly as it only provides support to governments the Bank trusts to use its funds for development goals.
◾The two exeutives made the disclosure at a 3-day retreat in Abuja for members of the Edo State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries.


“Each time we came to Edo, we were quite impressed that we were taken around to see the results of these reforms and that is why it was easy for us at the world Bank to sell the reforms programmes in Edo to our Board in Washington,” the Bank exectives said.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/reasons-world-bank-loaned-75m-to-edo-state/

Okechukwu ‘Okey’ Enelamah emerged as a surprise addition to President Buhari’s list of ministers.

His emergence has sent waves of enthusiasm and a sense of renewed goodwill for the President among the investor and analyst community.

Professionals see him as one of the very bright spots in the cabinet and are excited about the prospects of having his invaluable insight and global financial expertise in Nigeria’s government. Some have tipped him to bag the position of finance minister.



Here is what we know about him:
1. He was nominated by VP Osinbajo:

Among the 37 nominees put forward by the various interests groups within the presidency, he was the only candidate nominated by Vice President Osinbajo.

2. He is a pastor

Just like the Vice President Osinbajo, Okey Enelamah is active in his local church, serving his congregation in a pastoral capacity.

3. He is one of the first few to hold the CFA certification in Nigeria

Okey was one of the first few people in the country to bag the designation of a Chartered Financial Analyst.

He was awarded his CFA charter as far back as September 1997.

4. He is a luminary in the world of finance and investment

With five funds and an excess of $700m of assets under management, Okey’s firm, Africa Capital Alliance (ACA), is the largest Private Equity firm in Nigeria, and one of the largest in West Africa.

He cofounded the Private Equity firm after his time in Goldman Sachs, after which he cofounded Zephyr Management LP in New York in 1993. He became a principal at Capital Zephyr in South Africa between 1995 and 1997, where he helped launch a $150 million fund for direct equity investments in South Africa.


After Zephyr, he co-founded ACA.

5. He is also an academic luminary

He is a qualified chartered accountant and chartered financial analyst. He was elected George F. Baker Scholar and designated Loeb Fellow for academic excellence in the area of finance at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he earned a Masters in Business Administration [MBA] with distinction in 1994.

6. Asides from being a finance and management consulting expert, he is trained as a medical doctor

Although he is a medical doctor by training, Enelamah started on in finance in 1988 at Arthur Andersen & Co. now KPMG, where he led project teams as senior consultant and audit senior.



7. His Private Equity firm is known for its ground-breaking investments

His firm ACA says its mission is to create value by mobilizing capital, to unlock Africa’s private sector potential.

The firm was responsible for birthing MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of South Africa’s MTN Group.

It started its investment in MTN Nigeria in 2001 with $5million, followed up by a $5.7 million second investment round. It later organized local investors and raised $70 million for further investments.

After helping to see Nigeria’s telecoms industry outgrow South Africa’s as the continent’s largest, his company exited in 2012, with a whooping Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 77 percent (according to an ACA Presentation).



8. He is a familiar face in many boardrooms across corporate Nigeria

Okey is on the board of UAC of Nigeria, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, e-Tranzact Global Limited, TechnoServe, Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa and Africa Venture Capital Association. He is also the Chairman of the Boards of Flavours Food Limited and Landmark Property Development Company (LPDC)
more on...http://nairametrics.com/8-things-you-absolutely-need-to-know-about-okechukwu-enelamah/

I Doubt though, maybe its an average price of the filling stations in Nigeria

abagoro:
Seems black market is included in the survey because this September we did not buy petrol above 87 Naira in Rivers.

The National Bureau of Statistics released its September 2015 report of cost of fuel in various parts of Lagos Nigeria. The report reveals that Taraba State replaced Bayelsa as the most expensive state to purchase fuel in Nigeria.

The data also reveals fuel cost an average N95.18 (down 8.9% compared to August) in Nigeria despite claims that the government is still paying subsidy.

See list below;


State Label Sep-15
Taraba 124.63
Bayelsa 119.83
Yobe 119.78
Akwa Ibom 118.50
Rivers 102.80
Cross River 99.00
Delta 98.73
Kogi 96.56
Imo 95.68
Ebonyi 94.86
Nassarawa 94.20
Benue 94.00
Niger 93.89
Kaduna 93.71
Gombe 93.67
Kebbi 93.33
Bauchi 93.25
Borno 92.75
Abuja 92.60
Anambra 92.53
Plateau 92.50
Adamawa 92.00
Abia 91.88
Enugu 91.78
Zamfara 91.35
Kwara 89.60
Ondo 89.41
Lagos 89.00
Edo 88.77
Kano 88.53
Osun 88.28
Katsina 88.00
Oyo 87.72
Ekiti 87.50
Sokoto 87.00
Ogun 87.00
Jigawa 87.00
more on...http://nairametrics.com/september-this-state-just-replaced-bayelsa-as-the-most-expensive-state-to-buy-fuel-in-nigeria/

◾All bank accounts operated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been frozened by the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN). This follows the commission’s failure to comply with Federal Government’s directive that all ministries, agencies and departments must operate a Treasury Single Account, TSA.
◾As a result of this development, it has left the commission cash strapped and unable to discharge most of its responsibilities.
◾It was further gathered that the decision of the federal government to freeze all accounts operated by INEC has thrown the body in a serious dilemma because even the staff salary for September is yet to be paid just as many contractors whose outstanding fees were yet to be paid on a daily basis throng the commission for their payments.
◾However, it was revealed that the leadership of INEC on Tuesday met with representatives of the Federal Government and CBN, with a view to resolve the issue which has thrown everybody almost off balance.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/cbn-freezes-all-inecs-bank-accounts-find-out-why/

Lol

Captainswag225:
fashola the big mouth. Tinubu is waiting for u.

True

segello:
Hmmm

Hmmm

GudluckIBB:


Dude I still can't believe jonathan didn't deemed it fit to clean up Ogoni while he was the president.

Anyway sha! Olisa metuh will come up now and say jona wanted to do it but transfered the idea it to Buhari.

Your comment

Sunexy:

Y u thanking me?

Amen

Paulpaulpaul:
I missed Dora Akuyili, the female version of Fash.



Rest in Peace Mam.

Sure

Ioannes:
Fashola, making us proud all the way.

Thanks chap

Sunexy:
Smart crook
U are xo good at this

The Senate is currently conducting another another round of ministerial screening. Babatunde Fashola was one of those earlier screened today. Here are are some key answer given by him on some salient question from various senators.



ON HIS PERFORMANCE IN LAGOS

Fashola said: “I cannot take credit for the work in Lagos state. Our Work in Lagos was a Team Effort, I won’t appropriate personal responsibility for the Good Work.”

Fashola said “I saw criminals as my competitors because Government exists to protect citizens.”

ON THE WEBSITE FRAUD ALLEGATION

Fashola On borehole and website fraud allegation says: “As governor of Lagos state, I didn’t sign cheques, none of my commissioners signed cheques.”

ON BORROWING:

Fashola said: “We can’t borrow to pay salaries, we can’t borrow to run generators. Instead of borrowing to run gen I will invest in a power plant

“It is not about the debt but the debt to GDP ratio.


“Where we are today, it is difficult not to go borrowing if we want to save this economy.”

ON SECURITY

Fashola said: “As Governor, I had to be right every time. The criminal had to be right only once.

Fashola said: “There is a necessity to decentralize the police. The burden of managing a state becomes easier when the responsibility is shared by all”

Fashola said: “State police will first address the issue of unemployment of the youths
more on...http://nairametrics.com/fashola-at-senate-screening-some-of-the-best-punchlines-from-him/

Please suggest a word. would be appreciated

acenazt:
How these sentences take be punchlines?? pesin no even know the meaning of punchline e go dey yarn trash

◾The Federal Government said it will soon release the first instalment of $10million US dollars to begin the process of cleaning up areas devastated by oil spills in Ogoniland.
◾Actual dates for the disbursement of the money is not yet disclosed, but there were indications that the funds would be largely deployed for logistic arrangements, including setting up of a board of trustees to manage the implementation of the clean-up.
◾An estimated $1.04billion dollars would be required to effectively clean-up the entire oil spill areas in Ogoni land,according to a recent assessment report by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP).
◾Beyond the expected funds,stakeholders who attended a roundtable to assess the implementation of the UNEP recommendations in Abuja on Tuesday,suggested the review of the NOSDRA Act 2006 to incorporate responsibility for environmental contamination to a separate government agency.
◾They also expressed fears that there might be fresh crisis if the community members are not carried along when the funds are eventually released, hence the convening of the forum.
more on...[url]http://nairametrics.com/fg-ready-to-release-first-instalment-of-10m-for-ogoniland-clean-up%e2%80%8f/[/url]

The ministerial screening has commenced with much suspense and anxiety, among those with impressive performance was Former Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

He was on the podium for about 50 minutes answering questions from Senators who took a go at him. Fayemi fortunately did not shudder as he took the legislators on a lecture on modern governance and policies. He sure showed the Legislators that he was one of the chief architects of APC’s manifestos.

Fayemi had some very good moments laden with impressive punchlines. We took stock of most of them and select the following as our best 5.

Fayemi Punclines;

On Poverty: “Poverty Is not the problem of Nigeria but Inequality”.

On Terror: “If we’re tough on terror we also need to be tough on the causes of terror.”


On National Interest: “We need to balance our interests between the West (traditional allies), and the BRIC countries”

On Foreign Policy: “We need to sync our foreign policy with Trade & Investment and Defence & Security”

On not being an astute politician: “I consider myself primarily a teacher and researcher, I am a politician by vocation.”
more on...http://nairametrics.com/here-are-some-key-statements-from-fayemis-screening/

◾Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, has warned officers and clearing agents to shun corruption or risk the consequence of involvement in such practices.
◾Speaking in Lagos on Monday during his maiden working visit to the Apapa area command, Ali said his mandate as head of NCS was to reform and restructure the service. He promised to ensure that all acts of cutting corners by some importers and agents were stopped, warning that anybody culpable risks being jailed
“The days of corruption are gone. Anybody caught shall not be left to go scot-free,” he said. “I am a stickler for the enforcement of the law. There is need for law and order, and it is important to follow the rules as they are so that we all do not have problems.”
◾He said it was possible for customs to clear goods from the port within 48 hours if there were no falsification of declaration of goods. He said non-compliance with the rules of operation had been a challenge in the service. Ali also urged the agents to ensure that they get properly trained by way of capacity building, to help them function adequately as demanded by new technologies.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/corrupt-custom-officers-in-trouble-cg-ali/

As the ministerial nominees appear before the upper legislative chamber today to present their credentials and equally tell Nigerians why they are capable of facing the hurdles awaiting them as Federal Ministers under President Buhari, many of the names may not pass smoothly before the senate. But some might just be told to “Take A Bow and Go”.

Likely nominees that might enjoy the “Bow and Go” priviledge are;

1. Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige,:Medical doctor turned politician. Ngige ran for election for Senator of Anambra Central, on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform. After voting problems in some areas of the constituency on 9 April, the election in these areas was held on 25 April and Ngige was declared the winner over former Minister of Information and Communications Professor Dora Akunyili of the APGA, with 69,765 votes to Akunyili’s 69,292. Ngige’s tenure as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came to an end following his defeat in the 2015 election by Hon. Uche Ekwunife who has been sworn in as the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the current 8th National Assembly of Nigeria.

2. Senator Udoma Udo Udoma: was elected Senator for the Akwa-Ibom South constituency of Akwa Ibom State, at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform. He took office on 29 May 1999. He was reelected in April 2003, again running on the PDP platform. After taking his seat in the Senate in June 1999, he was appointed to committees on Public Accounts, Judiciary, Banking & Currency, Science & technology, Privatization and Drug & Narcotics (vice chairman).

3. Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan is a Nigerian politician who is a Senator represented Taraba North constituency of Taraba State, which she won under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She later decamped to the main opposition party All Progressive Congress (APC) and became the Gubernatorial Candidate of Taraba State for the 2015 general elections. She was defeated in the election re-run held on 25th of April 2015 and failed to become Nigeria’s 1st female democratically elected Governor.


Senator Hadi Sirika represented Katsina North senatorial district of Katsina State, As a former pilot, Sirika is a member of the Senate Committee on Aviation
So you ask why must these people listed above be asked to take a bow and go while others go through the grilling process, what makes them special and unique from other ministerial nominees?

On Wednesday, the 12th of February 2014 Senator Musiliu Obanikoro being a ministerial nominee of President Goodluck Jonathan appeared before the senate amongst other nominee for screening. When he mounted the podium to commence the question and answer session, the Senate President at that time – Senator David Mark simply asked him to “Take A Bow And Go”. When asked why he took that decision, he simply explained that “it is a privilege reserved for former federal lawmakers” Obanikoro was a former lawmaker hence, was among the privileged ones.

So this senerio might just replay itself once more Senators Ngige, Udoma, Al-Hassan and Sirika might just stroll in and out of the senate floor without answering a single question all in the name of “Espirit De Corp “ in the senate.

Let’s wait and see.



http://nairametrics.com/these-ministerial-nominees-might-just-take-a-bow-and-go-today/

◾Nigeria’s electricity generation has been experiencing continuous drop in the last one month, declining from the 4,810.70 mega watts (mw) recorded in August this year to 3,408.87mw. Power supply has also dropped to 3,373.18mw as at Wednesday this week.
◾For instance, the country’s power supply dropped from the 4,131.71 mega watts (mw) recorded as at August 26 to 3,843.99 mw in the first week of September. The decline continued, dropping from 4,008.53mw to 3,619.70mw last week.
◾The Presidential Taskforce on Power, which made this disclosure on Wednesday in its power sector performance report, put the daily energy generated at 81,812.76mw while energy sent out stood at 80,956.43mw.
◾This is again a far cry from the 104,794.26mw generated and 102,490.25mw of energy sent out as at September 23.
◾The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, had said recently that power generation could rise to 6,000 mega watt before the end of the year. Amadi identified corruption, poor budgeting as the problem facing the growth of electricity sector.


“Today the real problem of this sector is performance management. We have moved from modeling, we have set a fairly good enough model that will allow us to create sustainable electricity. The problem is poor project management, it includes corruption, which is the beginning because if you miss procurement, if you award contracts to those who cannot deliver, there is no magic. So it is a NERC problem, it is a problem of delivery.

If we had delivered all the NIPP projects, recovered all the capacity of existing electricity generation companies, we would have been doing over 8000mw or 9000mw today. So the problem of the electricity sector is that we need to develop the skills, project and deliver. Some of them are budget circle, think about the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

“TCN gives a bill of N50 billion, government appropriates N30 billion and release N10 billion. There is nowhere in the world where projects can be completed with that kind of budgeting circle. So what we are trying to do in our own little way as regulators is to in this meeting put our finger on why are we not executing efficiently and effectively,” he said.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/nigerias-power-supply-drops-to-3373-18mw/

Lagos State has been synonymous with traffic over the years and the situation is getting worse and unbearable for commuters with increasing stress levels which in turn kills productivity.

The traffic Is caused due to reasons everyone is familiar with, such as the rising population, increase in the number of cars, bad roads, and lack of developed sea-ports in other parts of Nigeria to name a few.

I know of 5 quick ways to beat traffic:
1. DOWNLOAD TRAFFIC APPS:

There are numerous traffic apps for Lagosians to download available on Blackberry and Android devices. Some of these apps include:
Traffic Radio: This is a community-based application that allows the users to broadcast and receive traffic reports wherever they are at the touch of a button. It enables users to send emergency alerts so other users, plus road safety officials can be notified of accidents and security threats on the road. It also gives location-based announcements made by FRSC Nigeria to warn citizens ahead of any danger on the road. The app is free and available for download on all android devices.
◾GidiTraffic:This is a utility service app that brings you closer to traffic/security updates from around the country irrespective of where you are. You get up-to-the-minute reports and live feedback on your enquiries and you can give and receive road traffic info in photographs and in videos.
◾Road Peer: Road Peer app is For Blackberry users, this app is an online community-based traffic visualisation and notification app that shows you tweets shared by drivers all over the country in real time. It gathers relevant traffic data and displays it in an interactive and easy to understand format.
◾Traffikator: This app enables you receive instant traffic information through a combination of crowdsourcing updates and geo location. Users can connect, chat and tweet through the traffikator app to other users.
2. USE THE TRAINS
The train is another unpopular means of transportation in Lagos. Some of these do trains work, there are provided for by the previous administration which is quite comfortable and decent.

For people working or coming from the Island who live on the mainland, there is a train station in IDDO. The route for the trains are as follows:

IDDO to OYINGBO to EBUTE METTA to YABA to MUSHIN to OSHODI to SHOGUNLE to IKEJA to AGEGE to IJU to ALAGBADO

The trains are usually fast and take about 1hr 30mins at worst from take-off point to its final destination, which means for the destinations in the middle you can get to where you are going between 30 and 45 mins.

For the new locomotive train, the cost is N750 to any destination, while the old ones will cost you N250. Although you have to be “rugged” to board the old ones.
3. LEAVE HOME EARLY, OR LEAVE WORK LATE IF YOU CAN
Another way to beat Lagos traffic is to leave your home at least 2 hours early. Always keep this in mind or as a rule of thumb. You can also leave work late or hang around in a spot where you can chill from the days stress and wait for the traffic to subside.

By doing this you can get home in less than an hour instead of facing a 3hr traffic that would make you stressful. Although this will require you to do all your ironing, cooking or whatever you always want to do when you get home days or weeks before hand.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/5-smart-ways-to-beat-lagos-traffic/

Lagos State has been synonymous with traffic over the years and the situation is getting worse and unbearable for commuters with increasing stress levels which in turn kills productivity.

The traffic Is caused due to reasons everyone is familiar with, such as the rising population, increase in the number of cars, bad roads, and lack of developed sea-ports in other parts of Nigeria to name a few.

I know of 5 quick ways to beat traffic:
1. DOWNLOAD TRAFFIC APPS:

There are numerous traffic apps for Lagosians to download available on Blackberry and Android devices. Some of these apps include:
Traffic Radio: This is a community-based application that allows the users to broadcast and receive traffic reports wherever they are at the touch of a button. It enables users to send emergency alerts so other users, plus road safety officials can be notified of accidents and security threats on the road. It also gives location-based announcements made by FRSC Nigeria to warn citizens ahead of any danger on the road. The app is free and available for download on all android devices.
◾GidiTraffic:This is a utility service app that brings you closer to traffic/security updates from around the country irrespective of where you are. You get up-to-the-minute reports and live feedback on your enquiries and you can give and receive road traffic info in photographs and in videos.
◾Road Peer: Road Peer app is For Blackberry users, this app is an online community-based traffic visualisation and notification app that shows you tweets shared by drivers all over the country in real time. It gathers relevant traffic data and displays it in an interactive and easy to understand format.
◾Traffikator: This app enables you receive instant traffic information through a combination of crowdsourcing updates and geo location. Users can connect, chat and tweet through the traffikator app to other users.
2. USE THE TRAINS
The train is another unpopular means of transportation in Lagos. Some of these do trains work, there are provided for by the previous administration which is quite comfortable and decent.

For people working or coming from the Island who live on the mainland, there is a train station in IDDO. The route for the trains are as follows:

IDDO to OYINGBO to EBUTE METTA to YABA to MUSHIN to OSHODI to SHOGUNLE to IKEJA to AGEGE to IJU to ALAGBADO

The trains are usually fast and take about 1hr 30mins at worst from take-off point to its final destination, which means for the destinations in the middle you can get to where you are going between 30 and 45 mins.

For the new locomotive train, the cost is N750 to any destination, while the old ones will cost you N250. Although you have to be “rugged” to board the old ones.
3. LEAVE HOME EARLY, OR LEAVE WORK LATE IF YOU CAN
Another way to beat Lagos traffic is to leave your home at least 2 hours early. Always keep this in mind or as a rule of thumb. You can also leave work late or hang around in a spot where you can chill from the days stress and wait for the traffic to subside.

By doing this you can get home in less than an hour instead of facing a 3hr traffic that would make you stressful. Although this will require you to do all your ironing, cooking or whatever you always want to do when you get home days or weeks before hand.
more on...http://nairametrics.com/5-smart-ways-to-beat-lagos-traffic/

President Buhari eventually released his list of Ministers last week and subsequently made public by the Senate President Bukola Saraki. To the angst and surprise of many Nigerians, the list contained many familiar names that reminded Nigerians of a sad past than hope for a better future.

From a former Governor with a reputation for being the first ever “kidnapped Governor” to a politician whose first stint in public domain was as a Minister over 30 years ago. The list in its irnoical twist of glory also includes certain names a lot of Nigerians can quickly with or without prejudice associate with corruption. Nevertheless, Buhari is not stupid and must have his reasons for the names included in that list. We attempt to explore some of the possible reasons why we have some of th0se names.

Closer to his age

Nigerians voted in a 72 years old President to lead them to a brighter future. That sent a strong message to the president that the younger generation perhaps had little faith in themselves having endured years of corruption and impunity. It is therefore conceivable that a 72 year old president will stick to aids and political appointees closer to his age than those farther away from it. After all, the younger generation though energetic and more suited for Nation building have not shown the right maturity required to lead.

Trusted Allies

President Buhari is said to be very wary of people especially if you have not been a long term acquaintance. When quizzed about his appointment of “more Northerners” the president responded that he can only appoint people he could trust and had worked with for years. For example, President Buhari, appointed, his long time political associate, Engr. David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former banker, Alhaji Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff.

Four of the names that also made his Ministerial list were also part of the members of the transition committee names immediately he won the election.

Party Loyalty

The President has also shown a strong likeness to party loyalty. He has also chosen to reward the loyalty shown to him by those who stood by him when he started running for presidency in 2003. In a recent BBC Hausa interview he said
more on....http://nairametrics.com/5-theories-that-could-explain-buharis-controversial-ministerial-list/

Nairametrics went to the streets of Lagos to find out what a N500 can purchase in the life a common man. You’ll be shocked with our findings from different respondents:


1.BRT Tickets In Lagos

In Lagos N500 will get you an average of 3 BRT Tickets in Lagos for a ride in any location with the average price of a bus ride being N150.
2.Used ‘2nd Hand’ Books

There are lots of roadside booksellers in different cities in Nigeria, this is not to advice against buying brand new books, but there are lots of books one can buy in Lagos for an affordable price. Short motivational books, history of Nigeria books, etc.
3.Airtime

N500 Airtime will give you the opportunity to talk for an average of 10 mins on any network of your choice.
4.5 Litres OF Petrol For Your Generator

N500 will get you an average of 5 Litres of fuel in most states in Nigeria. In Lagos the average price of fuel is N96.50, in Abuja N94.60, Rivers 99.71, and Akwa Ibom N106.00. Your “I better pass my neighbor” generator will go with this measurement for an average stretch of six hours.
5.Daily Newspapers

N500 will get you at least 2 newspapers (Punch, The Nation, Thisday) in any part of Nigeria with some change in your pocket.
more on....http://nairametrics.com/5-valuable-things-you-can-buy-with-n500-in-nigeria/

Nairametrics went to the streets of Lagos to find out what a N500 can purchase in the life a common man. You’ll be shocked with our findings from different respondents:


1.BRT Tickets In Lagos

In Lagos N500 will get you an average of 3 BRT Tickets in Lagos for a ride in any location with the average price of a bus ride being N150.
2.Used ‘2nd Hand’ Books

There are lots of roadside booksellers in different cities in Nigeria, this is not to advice against buying brand new books, but there are lots of books one can buy in Lagos for an affordable price. Short motivational books, history of Nigeria books, etc.
3.Airtime

N500 Airtime will give you the opportunity to talk for an average of 10 mins on any network of your choice.
4.5 Litres OF Petrol For Your Generator

N500 will get you an average of 5 Litres of fuel in most states in Nigeria. In Lagos the average price of fuel is N96.50, in Abuja N94.60, Rivers 99.71, and Akwa Ibom N106.00. Your “I better pass my neighbor” generator will go with this measurement for an average stretch of six hours.
5.Daily Newspapers

N500 will get you at least 2 newspapers (Punch, The Nation, Thisday) in any part of Nigeria with some change in your pocket.
more on....http://nairametrics.com/5-valuable-things-you-can-buy-with-n500-in-nigeria/