Monday, 16th June 2014…
Conference resumed sitting at 9:05am, presided over by the Chairman.
Votes and proceedings of Thursday 12th June 2014 were read, amended and adopted as amended.
The Chairman of the committee on Energy - Sen Rashidi Ladoja, Adewolu, presented the report of the committee on Energy to the conference.
Some of the recommendation and additional recommendations made on the report of the committee on Energy were;
- Establishment of Niger Delta Energy Corridor so as to serve as a veritable tool for the rapid industrialization and diversification of the Nigeria economy – well some delegates flared up hearing this, to them anything Niger Delta is just a threat. You cannot blame them though because of the way and manner SOME of the Niger Delta delegates try to force things down peoples throat, this recommendation was voted down twice until someone explained to the house how when established it will benefit Nigeria not only the Niger Delta. The house then voted for it.
- The need for Nigerian Government to consider the construction of mini refineries in each state as it is done in Malaysia.
- Communities close to gas flaring should be paid compensation for the effect of gas flaring.
- Three-year time frame should be set within which the nation's refineries should be put into operation.
- Coal should replace firewood for domestic cooking.
- Conference rejected an amendment that government should phase out the use of generator in all market to avoid respiratory track crisis – Well how will you blame them?
- Recommendation that the privatization contracts between the Federal Government and GNECOS, DISCOS, which is observed to be on the brink of collapse, should be reappraised was rejected too.
- The president should declare a state of emergency in the power sector in other to live up to the promise made by late President Umaru Yar'Adua – Its like everyone is using the declaration of state of emergency everywhere since I suggested it on poverty who says the youths can't set a trend? LOL!
- Government should release take-off grant to HYPADEV so that the communities in river banks would have access to power.
- Total ban of the flaring of associated gas, while any oil field that does not have infrastructure to capture associated gas should be shut down by the end of 2014.
- That the PIB should clearly criminalize gas flaring and offenders should pay the commercial value of the flared gas.
- Power of the minister to grant exemption of gas flaring should be abolished under the nation's laws - I remember my committee (Environment) recommended same.
- Laws should be enacted (and those available should be enforced) at the State and Local Government levels to control indiscriminate cutting of trees for household energy and charcoal making and export - My committee made same recommendation too.
- The need for the petroleum Act of 1969 be reviewed in the interest of justice and equity.
- The need for Nigeria to explore the nuclear option following the recommendation that the possibility of nuclear plant remains an option once commercially exploitable place is found.
- Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has two principle objectives and a third objective should be added to include protection and preservation of the environment where minerals are found.
- Conference rejected an amendment that 20% of the 60% equity of NNPC in the JVC and IOC be given to oil -producing states - don’t even ask me why?
- Street lighting in Nigeria should be by solar energy.
- Simple solar appliances should be developed for home use in Nigeria. this can give relief to Nigerians and reduce the depression on their income through diesel and fuel consumption.
- That the FG should develop a policy in respect of Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro hydro plants to ensure that tree fringe forest is replaced immediately for the water level to be kept highly stable.
- Urgent step be taken to ensure accurate and independently verifiable metering of the oil and gas operations.
- That where opportunities are created for communities to participate in developing oil fields from which the international companies are divesting, care must be taken that the divesting companies do not pass their liabilities, especially those related to massive environmental damage to the communities or other local investors.
- That Jatropha plants should be planted across the nation as such plants serves as a source of renewable energy.
- There should be a power strategic plan with a long term objective of utilizing PPP options to develop our Gas pipeline network. 90% of Nigeria's current gas pipeline are located along the atlantic coast and there is need to extend the pipeline infrastructure to hinterlands.
- That the 1.68% federation account allocation for solid minerals development be dedicated to coal - to - Power scheme for the next six (6) years (including funds already accumulated as seed money) to facilitate attainment of 33000MW coal-fired power contribution and an aggregate rating of 55,000MW by 2020.
- That a management company or department under LNG be put in place to liaise with the UN and World Bank so as to participate in the ongoing global gas flaring reduction programs.
- That all new non-associate gas produced in Nigeria should be reserved for the domestic market until such a time that domestic demand is satisfied and a pricing regime for gas should be developed to make this possible.
- That the building of floating filling station at riverine areas of the Niger Delta be investigated.
- FG should consciously continue to participate and invest in power generation along with competent private sector investors.
- While considering the use of bio fuel in the energy mix, the current National Bio- Fuel policy, authored by the NNCP should be radically reviewed to;
a) Close gaps created in the current policy with regard to taking into cognizance the environmental and socio-economic problem associated with monoculture agricultural production necessary to produce crops for bio-fuels.
b) Curtail extremely liberal tax incentives, including many years of tax holidays stipulated for investors, to ensure that the nation is not short changed
c) Ensure that proceeds from pollution tax to be imposed on oil companies (by the policy) should be used to clean up the environment and communities impacted by petroleum resource extraction rather than being used in subsidizing bio-fuel production.
- That everything be done to fast track the development and completion of identified large hydro sites in Nigeria such as Mambilla, Zangeru, Gurara, Dadin Kowa and Kiri Dams.
- A deliberate policy to encourage local production of spare parts and all electric equipment needed by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
- A two (2) year time frame should be given to firms in the electric power sector to allow then stabilize and provide efficient power supply to Nigerians.
- Framework that will focus in implementation of small hydro, wind and solar pilot projects in Bauchi, Cross River, Katsina, Ogun, Enugu and Plateau states be set up.
- Power/Energy is so strategic to the industrial take off and the well being of the people that Government should not leave it to the hands of the private sector. Rather, the country should adopt a top-down approach by amending the existing legal framework to allow state Government, Local Governments and the private sector to be involved in power generation, distribution and marketing locally.
- Without prejudice to food production and biodiversity, Research & Development in renewable energy, science and technology as well as policy analysis and market research should be intensified. The existing research and development centers and technology development institutions should be adequately strengthened to support the shift towards and increased use of renewable energy.
- Remewable energy devices and systems should be developed and implemented, incorporating national standards, codes of practice, maintenance manual, life cycle coating, resources management and coat benefit analysis tools.
- That Government find ways to improve gas supply and transmission to ramp up power delivery to the system as a possible solution to the current cash shortfall in the sector, in addition, Government should implement the National Gas plan whose main objective is to transmit gas source to all the states of the federation for industrial and domestics as well as to independent power project (IPPs).
- That Government Policy should encourage the use of low energy light bulbs.
- That tidal and wave energy should be harnessed.
- Immediate step should be taken to remove the current restriction on how much power a private entity can generate off - grid.
- Nigerian engineers should be adequately represented in the planning and implementation of all aspect of the power sector reform program.
Some of the recommendations I submitted include;
- Immediate reversal of the last Electricity Price Increase. No price review until 10, 000MW (at least) generation is achieved.
- The illegal, uneven and oppressive Fixed Charge Should be REMOVED immediately.
- A proper audit of every house should be carried out, and the concept of “Estimated Billing” Should be done according to the Regulations, and Explanations made to Consumers.
- The Electricity Distribution Companies Should starts the installations of Meters immediately.
- Making it illegal for consumers to tamper with their Power Connection.
- Opening of fully-equipped and staffed Forum Offices at locations within the Disco franchise area agreed with NERC.
- Opening of fully-equipped Customer Compliant Units (CCU) by all the Distribution Companies.
- Full implementation of the Customer Metering Plan, as approved by the Commission, within eighteen (18) months from the date this Tariff Order takes effect. Failure to strictly comply with the terms of such Metering Plan will be met with sanctions from the Commission.
- The development and implementation of a single standard or set of principles for estimating the consumption of unmetered customers and the strict use of such standards in accordance with the applicable customer service rules already established by NERC
- An Independent body be set to probe and review the activities and claims of NERC in the last 3years.
- Demand for Full Implementation of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 and 2007.
- An Independent Body to probe and review of all funds going to NERC.
-Liberation of the Licensing procedures to firms that want to generate power.
- ALL Power Sector Operators should be asked to sign a Service Level Agreement, failure to meet this should be met with sanctions.
The committee on Energy report after amendments and counter amendments by delegates was adopted as amended.
Announcement:
The assistant secretary, conference proceedings, announced the death of the husband of delegate – Ugoeze Milicent Okonkwo. Also announcement was made of the death of the son of delegate – Hon. Muhammad Lawal Nalado.
The deputy chairman, on behalf of the Chairman and the conference commiserated with the bereaved families.
We adjourned at 6:22pm to resume the following day at 9:00am.
See you soon.
On Twitter: @Yadomah
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