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Abia Govt. to distribute 53 transformers to communities
Abia State Government on Tuesday said that 53 transformers of different specifications will be distributed to selected communities as part of its power sector recovery programme.
Speaking to newsmen during the commencement of the exercise in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, described the delivery of the transformers as a testament to the state government’s vision to `light up Abia’.
He said: “This is part of the set of transformers that will be delivered in the state to fulfil his mandate of providing reliable electricity electricity to Ndi Abia.
“So the first batch we just received and we intend to distribute it to 53 communities within the state to support them in boosting electricity supply.
“This is part of efforts made by the government to boost electricity supply in Abia,” he said.
Monday said the distribution would be done in phases to ensure sustained impact and opportunities for more communities to benefit over time.
According to him, through step-by-step initiatives the distribution of transformers to different communities, the electricity assets in Abia will witness a significant improvement.
He expressed the determination of the administration to collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen the power sector.
“We have received several applications from several communities and they have been identified and we will be inviting them to collect their transformers.
“We received requests on faulty transformers, transformers that need to be upgraded we received, some we had to address with the EEDC (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company), especially in Umuahia.
“The EEDC has intervened in some; also Aba Power Limited has intervened for the people in the Aba ring-fenced area.
“So the ones that were not attended to are part of this programme,” he said.
He said the criteria for selecting benefitting communities include high population density, commercial hubs, high security risk and “first-come-first serve”.
Monday said the approach was adopted to address immediate needs and ensure fairness in the exercise.
He said that the communities that were not captured in the first batch would be captured in the next batch in January.
He urged the benefitting communities to take ownership of the transformers they had received from the government.
“The major issues we found out or most complaints that we have is that most of the transformers are being vandalised; energy theft and all of that.
“The communities should make sure they protect them because we will monitor it and all the transformers will be engraved with Abia Government logo.
“We will monitor the operations and if any community allows its machine to be vandalised we will not be in position to give them another one,” he said.(NAN)
Senator David Jimkuta (APC), representing Taraba South Senatorial District at the National Assembly says 19 senators have been denied landing permit at the Kashimbilla airport in Taraba.
Jimkuta made the complain at his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, Taraba, where he donated assorted items to the constituents.
He explained that the 19 senators were selected by the Senate to accompany him and to witness his empowerment programme.
The senator lamented that he got the report that the Kashimbila air port was temporary shut down, after he had completed every procedure required to fly into the airport.
Jimkuta, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils, said that the visit would have allowed the know the needs of the state to be of support.
He said that the situation had prevented the senators from gracing the occasion.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their equipment.
Jimkuta also promised to support security with logistics to enhance security of lives and properties in the district.
He advised the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme not to sell their items but use them to better their lots.
Earlier, Chief David Kente, Chairman of the event, thanked the senator for the massive distribution of items to his constituents.
Kente, a philanthropist and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the empowerment as unpresidented in the history of the district.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that items distributed include cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, vulcanizing machines among others.
By Nathaniel Irobi
David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja.
Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Parradang, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday.
Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him.
The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post.
Parradang, who served in the NIS for over 30 years, held various positions across the country, including Comptroller General.
He served in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu, and the Federal Capital Territory. He also attended several professional courses both within Nigeria and internationally.
In recognition of his service, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and was a distinguished graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
Security agencies have reportedly launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and killing, with efforts ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in their newly appointed Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.
In a press briefing held in Maiduguri on Tuesday, Bishop Mohammed Naga, the General Secretary of the association and Chairman of North-east CAN, affirmed that the election, which took place on 25th February 2025 in Abuja, was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, leading to the selection of Rev. Hayab and other Executive members.
Bishop Naga, who serves as the General Overseer of the Biblical Christian Church (BCC), urged Christians, particularly those from the North, to continue praying for the peace, unity, and progress of a region beset by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
He further encouraged all Christians to extend their prayers and support to the Muslim community during the Holy Month of Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the founding Patron of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
Bishop Naga stated, “I wish to express our unwavering support for our substantive Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab. He was duly elected alongside other executive members, and all churches and Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria remain loyal to him.”
He continued, “Any group that believes they must hold power indefinitely should recognise that the stakeholders in Northern Nigeria, including the General Secretary of national CAN, Northern CAN, and representatives from various states, have honoured the election. This election stands firm, and we remain loyal.”
“We want to convey to the world, particularly those of us in Northern Nigeria, that we have a leader to whom we can turn regarding Christian matters. We advocate for peace and acknowledge the historical context of Northern Nigeria. CAN was established here, and we honour our father, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the first patron of CAN. This illustrates our kinship and commitment to peaceful coexistence.”
“Anyone seeking to disrupt this long-standing harmony is, in essence, an enemy of progress. In conclusion, I call upon all Nigerians to embrace one another, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, who are fasting. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria and for the advancement of our beloved country, particularly in the North,” Bishop Naga concluded.