Connect with us

News

BEDC Debunks Rumour, Says No Free Electricity Yet

Published

on

The management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC, has debunked the speculation making the round that the proposed 2 months free electricity supply for all Nigerians has taken effect.

The National Assembly, with a view to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown in the nation had proposed 2 mouths free electricity for Nigerians.

Advertisement

However, reacting to the insinuation that the proposed 2 months free electricity has become effective, the management of BEDC noted that the proposal is yet to be implemented, and as such customers should continue to pay their bills.

READ ALSO: Couple Convicted For Assaulting Mother, Daughter

BEDC management, further reacting to the development that some customers in part of its coverage states of Delta, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo states were engaging the services of electricians to reconnect after being disconnected for non-payment of electricity bills on the excuse that Federal Government has promised free electricity, stated that no decision has been taken by the Federal Government on the proposal.

Advertisement

The managment added that nobody is even sure of the date of implementation, stressing that electricity supply to customers presently is not free.

BEDC pointed out that prepaid customers need to vend energy token to avoid service disruption when they run out of energy units, while postpaid customers need to settle outstanding bills to avoid disconnection.

“This is so because if the free electricity palliative measure is approved, it will not cover the past bills. Customers are therefore advised to manage their energy consumption at this critical period to avoid accumulating huge bills that may be difficult to pay in the event that the measure is eventually not approved,” BEDC said further.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: ‘We Sell Our Baby So We Can Get Capital To Start Business’ – Couple

While stating that it completely aligns with the plans to ensure palliative measures including free electricity supply, BEDC management pointed out that it was in view of the need to ease the hardship that it has increased significantly power availability to several customers in some locations across its franchise states, as it has suspended the rotational load management schedule for power supply.

The distribution company assured customers that it shall continue to provide quality service across its touch points and improve availability of electricity supply to alleviate the hardship faced by customers during the coronavirus pandemic period.

Advertisement

BEDC management therefore appealed to customers to continue to pay their bills as the status quo remains pending further directive on the proposed free electricity proposal.

READ ALSO: Dele Giwa Exposes Buhari’s Failure

It warned that anybody caught in the act of illegal reconnection will be arrested and prosecuted in line with existing electricity regulations.

Advertisement

Advertisement
Comments

News

Misconduct, Indiscipline: 151 Senior Police Officers Face Force Disciplinary C’ttee

Published

on

As part of effort towards reinforcing internal accountability and professional standards, 151 senior police officers are currently facing the Force Disciplinary Committee, FDC, over various pending disciplinary matters.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi while confirming the appearances, said: “The exercise commenced on July 14 and will last till July 25, 2025, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Advertisement

“The Force Disciplinary Committee is an essential internal structure responsible for reviewing and adjudicating cases of alleged breaches of professional conduct, misconduct, and ethical violations involving senior officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above.

READ ALSO:Three Rescued As Police Foil Kidnap Plot In Anambra

The affected officers, drawn from various commands and formations across the country, are expected to undergo a thorough and transparent review process in line with extant police regulations and disciplinary procedures for final recommendation to the Police Service Commission, PSC.

Advertisement

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to discipline and ethical conduct within the Force. He emphasized that the Police Force will not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.

“The Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to promoting integrity, professionalism, and public trust. The disciplinary process reflects the Force’s keenness to maintaining an accountable and service-driven institution, where standards are upheld and the rule of law is respected from within.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

FG Suspends Online Application Recruitment Into Paramilitary Services

Published

on

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) has suspended online recruitment for job applicants in any of the paramilitary agencies until July 21.

In a statement on Thursday, the Secretary to the Board, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, said that the temporary suspension was to optimise the efficiency of the recruitment portal https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Nigerian Army Begins Recruitment Of Tradesmen, Non-tradesmen

This development will ensure that the portal accommodates the high level of applications while guaranteeing a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and interest of young Nigerians to serve their country through these vital agencies,” Jubril said.

Advertisement

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the online recruitment exercise was initially slated to commence July 2 before it was moved to July 14.

The paramilitary agencies with vacancies are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Federal Fire Service.
(NAN)

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Published

on

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared that Licensed Customs Agents, LCA shall not be subjected to regulatory control of the Minister of Transporation and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, CRFFN or required to pay fees or obtain clearance as a condition for access to ports or renewal of their licenses under Customs Act.

The suit No. FHC/CS/765/2018 which commenced at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, was instituted by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA against the Minister of Transportation, the Nigeria Authority, NPA and the CRFFN as defendants.

Advertisement

The court ruled that the Minister of Transportation lacks legal authority to issue directives regulating the business or operation of LCA, declaring null and void the directive published in the Vanguard Newspapers on August 1, 2017.

READ ALSO:Lawyers Drag Tinubu To Court, Seek Emergency Rule In Zamfara

The landmark judgment delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor, resolved that: “the regulation of LCA is governed squarely by the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA which provides a comprehensive legal frame for the licensing and oversight of Customs operation in Nigeria. Only the Minister of Finance, acting through the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS is statutorily authorized to regulate the business and operation of LCA.

Advertisement

“The Minister of Transportation is not recognized under the Customs Act as having any supervisory or regulatory role in this regard.

“Under section 4 the CRFFN is empowered to determine qualification, register freight forwarders and set standard for practice. LCA is a distinct profession from freight forwarders.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N335m, Hospital, Five Filling Stations To FG

Advertisement

The business and regulation of LCA fall exclusively under the Customs Act, which vests regulatory control in the Minister of Finance and NCS. The CRFFN established under the CRFFN Act 2007, is a separate regulatory body whose jurisdiction applies only to freight forwarders not LCA”

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, described the victory as long overdue, even as he maintained that the CRFFN and the Ministry of Transportation have no statutory authority to regulate the business or operations of LCAs.

“We are not freight forwarders. We are licensed under a different law, and this judgment affirms that distinction. “Meanwhile, Registrar of CRFFN Kingsley Igwe, said that the court ruling will not prevent the Council from collecting Practitioners operating Fee, POF from customs agents.

Advertisement

Speaking at a press briefing in response to the judgment, Igwe said that it remains the legally empowered authority to regulate freight forwarding in Nigeria under Act No. 16 of 2007.
(Vanguard)

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending