Energy
NCDMB Emerges Best MDA In Ease Of Doing Business Ranking
By John Mommoh
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been adjudged as the best among all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the country in the latest Executive Order (EO1) performance ranking for Ease of Doing Business from January to June 2022.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote
The report is compiled by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), under the office of the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
NCDMB came tops with 81.48 percent, according to the report, released officially on Tuesday in Abuja.
PEBEC was established in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari to address bottlenecks and bureaucratic constraints to executing business in Nigeria.
The implication of this performance ranking shows that NCDMB has delivered service in a quality, efficient and effective manner in the past six months to its diverse stakeholders.
Over the years, the Board has moved from the 27th position in 2019 to the most improved MDA in the country and the 3rd position in 2020, and presently the 1st in the country.
Commenting on the report, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote explained that the “trend of the positions the Board has been ranked shows the impressive level of work we have put into delivering quality service over the years. With the right attitude, training, and support, we have achieved the number one spot.”
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He challenged the staff of the Board that “whom much is given, more is expected. We would not rest on our oars and we will continue to give our utmost best and commitment to delivering quality service to our stakeholders and also explore areas of improvement.”
The Executive Secretary thanked the Directors, General Managers, Head of Departments, and staff of the Board, especially the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Akintude Adelana, and his team which includes the SERVICOM Team, the front desk staff, PEBEC reform champion and reform agents.
By this emergence as the top agency in the Ease of Doing Business Ranking, the NCDMB accomplished the target set by the Executive Secretary in June 2021 when he signed the Board’s SERVICOM Service charter.
He stated at the event that NCDMB is passionate about service delivery, and this is evident in the diligent and professional way the staff discharge their statutory responsibilities to the oil and gas industry and execute all Board’s activities.
He asserted that as part of the Board’s efforts to continuously improve service delivery, it trains the staff to improve their skills and competencies.
He hinted: “we want to be the number one government agency in the country, and we are working towards it.
To achieve this, we are investing in our people, our service delivery, and the turnaround time in everything that we do.”
Wabote mentioned that the Board signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to ensure promptness and effectiveness in the delivery of its statutory responsibilities.
He said: “At some point, we challenged the oil and gas industry that we have a 15-day rule that anything they send to us and they do not get a response within 15 days, they should assume that it has been approved. Nobody has been able to take us to task on it because we meet the SLA that we signed.”
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company (FGN Power Company) has announced significant progress in the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which is set to revolutionize the nation’s electricity transmission landscape.
The initiative, in partnership with Siemens, aims to enhance the country’s power infrastructure through the deployment of advanced technology and equipment.
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Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, revealed that the installation and commissioning of eight power transformers across key locations are now complete.
The transformers have been successfully deployed in Ajah, Maryland, Apo, Okene, Ihovbor, Amukpe, Potiskum, and Birnin Kebbi, resulting in a notable increase in the transmission wheeling capacity by 569.6 megawatts (MW).
In addition to the transformers, three mobile substations are operational in Ajah, Jebba, and Kawnar Dangora, further boosting the transmission capacity by an additional 151.2 MW.
Anuwe emphasized that these enhancements are pivotal in addressing the energy needs of the country and supporting economic growth.
Looking ahead, Anuwe stated that the transmission network will be augmented by an impressive 720.8 MW, with plans to commission the remaining equipment to deliver at least another 500 MW by the end of 2024.
This strategic initiative is expected to significantly improve power distribution and reliability, marking a transformative step towards a more robust energy sector in Nigeria.
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