Connect with us

News

Reps Move To Establish Bio-fuels Energy Industry Framework

Published

on

The House of Representatives has passed for Second reading a Bill for an Act to Provide a Policy Framework for the Development of Bio-Fuels Energy Industry in Nigeria.

The bill which is sponsored by Benjamin Okezie Kalu, along with Khadija Bukar Ibrahim and Babajimi Benson,aims to establish the Bio-Fuels Energy Regulatory Commission and the Bio-Fuels Research Agency, marking a crucial step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change and diversify its domestic economy.

Advertisement

In his Lead debate, Kalu who is the deputy speaker of the house said the bio-fuel policy was initially introduced by Nigeria in 2007 to address climate change concerns, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote economic diversification.

READ ALSO: EFCC Secures Arrest Warrant For Alison-Madueke as Extradition Proceedings Begin

He explained that it was designed to incentivize the production of bio-ethanol and bio-diesel for blending with fossil fuels.

Advertisement

The deputy speaker however expressed concern that after 16 years, progress has been limited, with only a few Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in place.

He noted that according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for biofuels is projected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Kalu observed that despite Nigeria’s potential in the bio-fuels sector and a target demand of 5.14 billion litres per year, the industry remains nascent.

Advertisement

READ

He identified one of the primary challenges hindering the development of the bio-fuel industry in Nigeria as the absence of a regulatory framework. Despite the existence of a biofuel policy, the lack of a legal and institutional foundation has impeded its effectiveness.

READ ALSO: Impeachment: Akeredolu Shops For New Deputy Governor

Advertisement

According to him, this bill aims to rectify this gap and provide the necessary framework for growth stressing that to encourage investment in the sector, the policy offers incentives such as exemptions on Withholding Tax, waivers on Value Added Tax (VAT), and waivers on Import and Customs Duties.

Benjamin Okezie Kalu highlighted the numerous advantages of developing the bio-fuels energy sector including to Improved Petroleum Product Quality as Bio-fuels are expected to enhance the quality of petroleum products and equally address the current limitations in fossil-based fuels.

The Deputy Speaker who emphasized that the industry will generate additional tax revenue, create jobs, boost economic development, and empower rural communities said It will also lead to improved farming techniques, increased agricultural research, and higher crop demand.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: 10 Things To Know About BBNaija All Stars Winner, Ilebaye

He further explained that Biofuels can be used for co-generation of electric power as well as reduce tailpipe emissions, ozone pollution, and particulate emissions, and replace toxic octane enhancers in gasoline.

Benjamin Okezie Kalu therefore implored his colleagues to support the bill’s second reading and it was referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.

Advertisement

The Bill which comprises 56 clauses and one schedule is divided into fourteen parts with the primary objective to provide a policy framework for the bio-fuel industry’s development and establish the Bio-Fuels Energy Regulatory Commission and the Bio-Fuels Research Agency.

VANGUARD

Advertisement

News

Sanwo-Olu makes U-turn, Unblocks Lawyer Who Sued Him Over Blocking On X

Published

on

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unblocked human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, on X after a meeting with him at Lagos House, Marina, on Friday.

The lawyer, who had accused the governor of rights violations, announced the development in a post on his X account on Saturday.

Advertisement

According to him, Sanwo-Olu personally invited him for a brief meeting to address his complaints.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unblocked me on X (Twitter). I met briefly with him yesterday at Lagos House Marina, on his invitation, to amicably resolve my complaint of human rights violations. We will continue to hold authorities accountable, regardless. Aluta continua!” Ogun wrote.

READ ALSO:Lawyer Sues Sanwo-Olu For Blocking Him On X

Advertisement

Tribune Online reports that Ogun had earlier filed a suit against Sanwo-Olu at a Federal High Court in Lagos, accusing him of violating his fundamental rights by blocking him on his verified X account.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1739/25, which he shared on Facebook, the lawyer claimed the governor blocked him over his 2021 “constructive criticisms” and “demand for accountability” on the October 2020 #EndSARS killings.

In 2021, I noticed that the Governor blocked me on his official X handle @jidesanwoolu owing to my constructive criticisms of his policies and demand for accountability in respect of the October 2020 #EndSARS Massacre.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:‘Court Of Corruption’ — Obasanjo Knocks INEC Chairman, Judiciary In New Book

Ogun said the action has prevented him from accessing vital government updates and information.

“Blocking me on X has prevented me from accessing public updates and receiving information about policies and governance in Lagos, which constitutes a violation of my right to receive information without interference,” he said.

Advertisement

In his originating summons, he asked the court to declare the move unconstitutional, arbitrary, and discriminatory.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tragedy Deepens As Prime Suspect in Taraba Student’s Death Found Dead

Published

on

The investigation into the death of Comfort Jimtop, a 100-level Mass Communication student at Taraba State University, has taken a dramatic turn following the discovery of the lifeless body of Emmanuel Kefas, the prime suspect in the case.

Kefas’s body was discovered on Friday in the Tudiri community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, under unclear circumstances, intensifying public concern and adding a tragic dimension to a case that has already gripped the university community and residents across Taraba State.

Advertisement

Confirming the development on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, James Lashen, said the police received a report from the village head of Tudiri about the discovery.

READ ALSO:Army Kills Notorious Bandit, Babangida, In Kogi

A lifeless body was found in Tudiri, and a Tecno Android phone was recovered beside it,” Lashen stated.

Advertisement

Upon charging the phone, investigators found a photograph showing the deceased with the late Comfort Jimtop, suggesting they were in a romantic relationship.”

Lashen added that the body has been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo for autopsy. At the same time, efforts are ongoing to officially identify the remains through the suspect’s family.

READ ALSO:Four Feared Killed As Gunmen Attack Burial Ceremony In Anambra

Advertisement

Police have yet to determine whether Kefas’s death was the result of suicide, homicide, or an accident. Investigations into both deaths are continuing.

Comfort Jimtop’s mysterious death had earlier sparked outrage on campus and across the state, with students and rights groups demanding justice. Kefas was named a prime suspect in the case, which remains open.

This latest development has left many unanswered questions and deepened the grief surrounding the case.

Advertisement

Students, residents, and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, calling on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and bring clarity to the tragic chain of events.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

Published

on

The management of Ossiomo Power Plant has cleared the air on the dispute between its Chinese partners and the circumstances surrounding the shutting down of the power plant early this month.

Representative of Ossiomo management, Engineer Festus Evbuomwan, during an interactive session with customers on the impasse between the two partners, said contrary to the rumour making the rounds, the management of Ossiomo Power Plant had paid over ₦2bn to its Chinese partner — Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology (CCETC) — since the power plant started operation.

Advertisement

Recall that representative of CCETC who identified himself as Mr. ‘W’ had, during a telephone phone interview two weeks ago, claimed that “instruction to shutdown was because we lost lots of money and did not get any return on investment,” adding that “all the $20m investment was done by us including the distribution lines.”

But Evbuomwan during the interactive session, said the management was not aware of the $20m investment the Chinese partner claimed, just as he disclosed that “when they generate power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO:Edo Govt Denies Shares As Ownership Tussle Rocks Ossiomo Power

Advertisement

He disclosed that after shutting down the power plant, the Chinese partners came up with a request of ₦185m to be paid to two Chinese not known to the management, stressing that this was declined.

According to him, the Chinese partner, having seen how lucrative the business is, “went to some quarters and raised some issues probably thinking they can manoeuvre us with the help of some big persons, so that they can use their machines to generate power and sideline us but this is not possible.”

The Chinese partners also claimed that they borrowed $20m from their native land to invest, we are not aware of such investment, and we do not know where the money was invested up till now.

Advertisement

“They have been also saying they have not been receiving anything, but I want to tell you unequivocally that first, the partners run a joint account where their investment is going into. More so, The Chinese partners have received over ₦2bn so far for the power they generate with their machines. When they generate the power, we sell and pay them.”

READ ALSO: Five Years After, Edo Govt Reconnects To BEDC As Ossiomo Shut Down

Engr. Evbuomwan, while apologising to customers for the power outage caused by the dispute between the two partners, said Ossiomo had started power generation though not in full capacity, assuring that power generation would be fully restored soon.

Advertisement

“We have purchased turbines, and one have started working. They are working on the second one, so, by the time our five turbines start working we will be in full capacity. Even with that, those connected to the government may not be reached immediately. This is because the government bought the poles and contracted the wiring, and we cannot force the government to do our bid. Also, we are making efforts to site 33kva transformer along Airport Road and Lagos Road as soon as possible, so that our customers there will get power.”

He said the Edo State government does not have a stake in the company, just as he appealed to the “government to let us supply power to customers in through their Lines. I want to emphasise that Ossiomo is not completely shut down.”

He further urged the “government to encourage the Nigerian citizens to invest and not to work against local investors.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending