For second time in 4 months, DisCos raise meter prices by 28.03%....Read Full Article>>

Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, have announced a rise in the price of various electricity meter models, making it the second price hike in four months.

According to the DisCos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800. This amount indicates an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.

The new prices posted on the official X handle of the Discos yesterday were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It also reflected the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

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It was learned that the upward revision followed an earlier increase in August 2024, further amplifying concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.

An analysis of the documents revealed that meter prices vary across DisCos, influenced by vendors and meter models (single-phase and three-phase).

Eko DisCo pegged the price of its Single Phase Metre between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a Three Phase Metre was pegged between N226,600 and N266,600.

Ibadan DisCo said customers will pay between a range of N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase meter.

Customers under Abuja DisCo will pay N123,130.53–NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65–NN236,500 for three-phase meters.

Kano Electricity Distribution said its customers will pay N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase metre and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.

Kaduna DisCo said N131,150—N142,548.94 would be paid for single-phase meters and N220,375—N232,008.04 three-phase meters.

In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission introduced a significant policy shift by announcing the deregulation of meter prices under the Metre Asset Provider, MAP, scheme for end-user customers.

The move was targeted at addressing lingering issues surrounding meter supply and pricing transparency within the electricity sector.

According to NERC’s latest order, meter prices under the MAP scheme will now be determined through competitive bidding, rather than being centralised.

This shift is expected to foster greater competition among meter providers, ultimately improving cost efficiency and service delivery for end users.

The deregulation removes earlier operational restrictions, allowing MAP permit holders to provide metering services across all electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

However, MAPs must meet specific regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and maintain quality standards in service delivery.

Recall that NERC regulated meter prices, which were often subsidised across all DisCos to reduce costs for customers. While this model aimed to make metering affordable, it inadvertently stifled competition and limited transparency in the supply chain.

As a result, DisCos and customers were unable to negotiate or explore better deals from meter vendors, contributing to inefficiencies in the system.

With deregulation now in place, NERC anticipates a more dynamic metering ecosystem where customers and DisCos can benefit from competitive pricing, improved service quality, and greater accountability among meter providers.

Nigerian Doctors Withdraw Services from Specialist Hospital Over Commissioner’s Alleged Assault On Colleague....Read Full Article>>

NMA said it has resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from noon Wednesday, November 6, 2024 until its demands are fully met.

The Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it has indefinitely withdrawn all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, effective from noon on Wednesday, until their demands are fully met.

The association had demanded the removal of the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Amina Abdullahi, following allegations of assault on a doctor at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.

In a statement issued on Monday by NMA Chairman Dr. Abdurrahman Ali and Secretary Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the association asserted that the commissioner’s actions “constitute misconduct, punishable by dismissal as enshrined in Section 3(a)(0), (ii), (iv), and (v) of the Public Service Rules.”

The NMA stated that the assault, which allegedly took place on November 1 at the hospital’s Emergency Paediatric Unit, represented an abuse of power from an official expected to uphold humanitarian values.

The NMA accused the commissioner and her entourage, including security personnel, of harassing and assaulting the doctor.

The altercation reportedly arose from the unavailability of prescribed medication, a situation beyond the doctor’s control, who was singlehandedly managing over 100 patients.

The association highlighted that incidents of this nature are becoming increasingly common, placing medical professionals in unacceptable personal risk as they strive to fulfil their duties under challenging conditions.

The NMA threatened to suspend medical services at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital within 48 hours if their demands are not met.

However, Dr. Muhammad Aminu Musa, the group public relation officer in a statement on Wednesday stated that despite an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health which confirmed that the doctor was not at fault, no action has been taken to address the alleged misconduct of the commissioner.

NMA said it has resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from noon Wednesday, November 6, 2024 until its demands are fully met.

The statement reads in part, “Following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Branch in response to the assault on a female doctor at the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, we regret to inform the public and all relevant stakeholders that no concrete action has been taken by the Kano State Government.

“An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health has confirmed that the doctor was not at fault in the incident, verifying that she acted with full professionalism in her duties.

“Despite this, no action has been taken to address the misconduct of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, who led this assault and harassed a healthcare worker performing her duties under extremely challenging conditions.

“The NMA Kano has therefore resolved to withdraw all medical services at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital indefinitely, effective from 12 noon today, 6th November 2024 until the following demands are fully met:

“Immediate dismissal of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.

“Adequate staffing & resource allocation; Immediate steps must be taken to meet the minimum benchmark requirement for healthcare personnel in the facility, ensuring that doctors are not forced to work under conditions that put their safety and patients’ health at risk.

“Enhanced security measures; provision and maintenance of adequate security for all units within the hospital to protect healthcare workers and patients.”

3 police officers, DSS impersonators arrested over One Chance....Read Full Article>>

Operatives of the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have arrested three impersonators of the police and the Department of State Services, DSS, over alleged ‘one chance’ robbery.

FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatunji Disu, disclosed this during a media briefing, yesterday, in Abuja.

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He said the three suspects along with nine others were recently arrested over “one chance” in different parts of the FCT.

“It will interest you to know that three of the suspects belong to a gang of “one chance” operators who specialise in masquerading as police and DSS officers.

“They pick up unsuspecting victims and take them to unknown locations demanding ransom for their release,” he said.

Disu said the suspects were on October 12, arrested following a complaint from one Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina at Anti-One Chance Office.

According to him, the complainants reported that they were stopped by three men in a white colored Toyota Camry with Registration number ABJ 221 BV while on transit from Keffi to Abuja.

He said the suspects, forcefully ejected the complainants from the vehicle, claiming to be officers from the DSS on investigations.

Disu said the suspects drove the victims to an unknown destination and demanded that, they call their family members to raise money for their release.

The CP said the suspects transferred the sum of N400,000 from the victims accounts, using their phones.

He said an iphone 14 pro max, iphone 15 pro, Samsung S20 and a Samsung S8 plus was also, collected from the victims.

According to him, upon receipt of the complaint, police operatives from the Police Command in the FCT trailed and arrested the suspects.

Disu said a total of six vehicles, suspected to be their operational vehicle and one locally made barreta pistol were recovered from the suspects.

The CP said the command, on October 30, received a report that a Golf III Saloon vehicle used by suspected “a one chance” operator was being burnt with their gang leader in Kubwa area.

“Police operatives quickly deployed to the scene met a group of people who claimed that a gang of “one chance” operators, terrorising Kubwa area were caught around NYSC junction.

“The vehicle was set ablaze with the suspected gang leaders while three others escaped the scene into the nearby bushes.

“Police operatives launched a manhunt and arrested the other gang members who had escaped the scene at their hideout in Malaysia IDP CAMP, APO mechanic village,” he said.

Disu said the suspects had freely confessed to being members of a notorious “one chance” syndicate led by the burnt suspects during interrogation.

The CP said the suspects had also, confessed to impersonating to be personnel of different security agencies to defraud unsuspecting citizens.