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Two Months Free Electricity: ‘We Align With Plan, But Not Yet Binding’ – BEDC

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Management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc, has expressed readiness to abide by the proposal by the House of Representatives that Nigerians should be supplied electricity free for two months as palliative measures during the lockdown period occasioned by COVID-19.

The management, in a statement which was made available to INFO DAILY, while noting that the distribution company fully aligned with the proposal, called Nigerians’ attention to the fact that it has not been signed into law hence not binding on DISCOs yet including BEDC.

It noted that no decision has been taken by the Federal Government on it yet, adding that the date of implementation was also not sure.

READ ALSO: Easter: There Is Hope Man Shall Prevail Over COVID-19, Says Ize-Iyamu

“That the proposed 2 month free electricity bill mooted by the House of Representatives is not yet signed into law, as such not binding on DISCOs including BEDC for now.

“No decision has been taken by federal Government on this yet.
We are also not sure of the date of implementation.

“Electricity currently being supplied to customers is not free
Prepaid customers need to vend energy to avoid service disruption when they run out of energy units
Postpaid customers need to settle outstanding bills because if the palliative measure is approved it will not cover past bills”, the statement reads in part.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: LG Boss Distributes Food Items, Sanitisers To Communities

BEDC therefore appealed to customers to continue to pay their bills, stressing that the status quo remains.

The distribution company advised customers to manage their energy consumption particularly at this critical period, even as it promised to provide quality service across all its touch points and improve availability of electricity supply.

“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 palliative measure is not approved.

“BEDC assures customers that it shall continue to provide quality service across all its touch points and improve availability of electricity supply to alleviate the hardship of our esteemed customers during this difficult times”, the statement further read.

Recall the House of Representatives had consider a Stimulus Bill that will ensure that Nigerians get free electricity supply for two months.

READ ALSO: Market Relocation: Rescue Us From Exploiters, Market Women Cry Out To Obaseki

A statement by Lanre Lasisi, the House of Representatives speaker’s spokesperson, had said the bill became necessary considering electricity as a commodity consumed by every household, has a greater effect on the people even at this lockdown period.

(PHOTO: File)

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Why Yahaya Bello Was Absent In Court — Lawyer

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Act through the National Assembly. He added that section 12 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, required the various Houses of Assembly to ratify the act before it could become operative.

Counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Phinheiro, however, urged the court to dismiss the application, insisting that the warrant of arrest should not be set aside until the defendant makes himself available for trial.

He argued that Bello did not have the legal ground to file numerous applications while in hiding.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Chair Vows To Follow Yahaya Bello’s Prosecution To Conclusion

The senior lawyer added that the applications he was filing, were tactics intended to delay his arraignment, as the main issue was to determine his whereabouts.

He adds that if Bello wanted the order of his arrest to be discharged, he should come before the court and make the application.

Justice Nwite then ordered that the charge sheet of the N84bn fraud allegation against Bello be served on his lawyer.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Orders EFCC To Serve Yahaya Bello N80bn Fraud Charges Through His Lawyer

The EFCC added that it would not execute the arrest warrant until the counsel to Bello undertakes to ensure his presence at the next adjourned date.

Justice Nwite had last week issued a bench warrant against Bello following an application to that effect by EFCC.

The EFCC subsequently declared the former governor wanted for his persistent absence in court, and for evading the criminal charges against him.

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Nollywood Actress, Kate Henshaw Calls For Establishment Of More PHCs In Bauchi

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Nigerian Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw has called for the establishment of more Primary Healthcare Centres in Bauchi state to enhance immunization exercise in the state.

The UNICEF ambassador made the call in Bauchi on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on her field trip with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office to observe immunization exercises in Bauchi state.

Kate Henshaw, who was very impressed with the turnout of women for the vaccine in the state, commended UNICEF and the Bauchi state government for their commitment to fight malnutrition and improve the health status of mothers and children in the state.

READ ALSO: Adolescent Girls Face Risks Of Sexual Violence – UNICEF

The 2008 Africa Movie Academy Award winner said “there is the need for the establishment of more Primary Healthcare Centres because I could guess that maybe the distance that the women have to travel in order to get care or to take their children could be a barrier.

“Also, I observed that the mode of transportation is motorcycles and I wouldn’t feel too comfortable carrying my baby on a bike going all the way.

“So, there has to be a better incentive which is bringing the care to them closer. Even if you will have to bring skilled workers to them at home but also make sure that they come to the hospital to deliver

“Bring it closer to them so that they don’t have an excuse not to bring their child either for nutritional stuff or immunization.

READ ALSO:UNICEF Urges women To Shun Home Child Delivery

“More of the community health centres and primary healthcare centres closer to the people is important”.

Also, Dr Rane Tushar, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi commended the medical practitioners in the state for amplifying its intervention and sought for more collaboration.

He urged them to keep sensitizing mothers through their reportage, the importance of immunization both the routine and the periodical on their children.

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World Earth Day: Environmentalist Advocates End to Plastic Wastes to Save Mother Earth

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In commemoration of the 2024 World Earth Day, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) – Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has called for a drastic reduction in the use of plastics to save planet Earth from suffocation.

World Earth Day is an annual event celebrated April 22, and it is designed to shed light on serious environmental problems faced from the climate crisis to air pollution and deforestation. This year’s World Earth Day was themed: ‘Planet Vs Plastic.’

In commemoration of the Day, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, HOMEF, in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, HOMEF, advocated for urgent action to ban the production and
usage of single-use plastics.

Bassey, while calling on everyone to be involved in efforts to kick out plastics, urged humans to build a liveable future for humans, other beings, and natural systems.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Air: EFCC Arrests Ex-Buhari’s Minister Over N8bn Fraud

He said: “World Earth Day reminds us as humans that the Earth is ours to protect and preserve but over time humans have abandoned their roles in protecting the planet because of selfishness and drive for profit.

“We stand united in our fight against non-biodegradable waste pollution. Our addiction to single-use plastics suffocates the planet.

“Plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose, clog our water bodies, and cause harmful impacts as a result of their chemical composition. Sadly, the
world is literally a plastic civilisation due to a vested interest in hydrocarbons and ease of application.”

READ ALSO: One Feared Killed, Others Injured In LAUTECH Students’ Clash

He continued: “Now is a critical time to choose between planet and plastic. Good sense tells us to choose the planet, our Mother Earth that sustains all lives. A poor sense driven by profit urges humans to choose plastics because of the ease they bring, despite the harmful impacts on our health, climate, and overall health of the planet.

“As we mark World Earth Day 2024, the alarm must be sounded that it is time to uproot plastics from their fossil base or be ready to be turned
into plastic humans living plastic lives and heading to an infernal
plastic future. At HOMEF, we are all for the planet, people, and all
life forms,” Bassey said.

The Executive Director noted that research has shown that 380 million tonnes of plastic are now produced every year, while only nine percent of plastic ever produced has been recycled.

He added: “Campaigns around the world calling for a 60 percent reduction in plastic by 2040 are commendable and worthy of support.

READ ALSO: Bridesmaids’ Dance At Wedding Causes Stir On Social Media [VIDEO/PHOTOS]

“At Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), we believe in the intrinsic Rights of Mother Earth and the rights of humans and other
beings to be respected and to live in dignity.

“It is time to build up courage and to preserve and protect our health,
and our livelihoods by embracing alternatives that are sustainable,
healthy, and safe for the planet. We must stop all forms of destructive
extractive activities in Nigeria, Africa, and the World.

“The Planet vs Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being on our planet.

“We are submerged in a sea of plastic wastes, from our creeks to the ocean. It’s time we did better!”

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