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"Synergy, Commitment Are Key to Global Energy Sustainability, Says Bounour

By Favour Ifeoluwa & Akinola Ajibade  The Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, Mr Mohktar Bounour says global transition to cleaner energ and sustainable environment are achievable, as long as there is strong synergy and commitment among stakeholders in the value chain.  He spoke during the maiden edition of  Asharami Square in Lagos. This is an initiative introduced and implemented by the Sahara Group, in order to amplify discourse on energy sustainability through  media advocacy globally. He said: " Having analyzed the percentage of global greenhouse emissions attributed to sectors including electricity/heat production, agriculture/forestry and transportation, we are realised that there is need for synergy  and renewed commitment among stakeholders". According to him, Egbin Power has unwavering commitment to reduce carbon emissions and promotes sustainable energy sources, stressing that the need to depeening engagement and advocacy among stakeholders in

Works Ministry, Three Others Shut Down Over Payment Defaults



By Akinola Ajibade

The Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Character Commission ( FCC), Merit House Maitama and Murg Plaza are under lock and keys, following their inability to pay N10billion  waste debts owed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AFPB). The Institutions were shut down by the Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA), which has overall control over the Board.

The Managing Director of the Board,  Engineer Odilams Briamah revealed this to journalists recently after the exercise.

He sexplained that the Board rendered waste management services to the Ministry of Power and others, adding that they refused to pay for the services given to them.

He said that the board had huge amount laying without response from the defaulters.

He added:“We try to negotiate to have a better way to achieve results but there was no positive response, we have given them payment plan but many of them refused to take this opportunity serious, the board then resort to legal means to recover the debts. The board got court orders to seal the premises” he said.

According to him, the exercise which has just begun will cover all public and private offices owing the board.

A senior magistrate court sitting in Wuse II, Abuja had served the defendants with summons to appear before the court on March 30th, 2022 but they failed to honour the court.

The break down of the debts showed that Federal Ministry of Education owed 25,838,275, Federal Ministry of Defence –17,220,775.00 and Federal Character commission—10,128,906.25.

Others include Civil Service Commission–2,451,649.50, Revenue Mobilisation and fiscal commission—21,683,750.00
Federal Ministry of Health 14,204,843.75, Fed Ministry of Trade & Investment—-19,222,287.50, Federal Ministry of Works — 9,998,625.00, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Wuse–16,583,031.25.

The senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the minister of FCT, Ikahro Attah, who led the enforcement said the operation followed the initiative put together by the minister of FCT and the permanent secretary to recover the extreme debts owed the board.

He stated that the FCT Administration is worried about the high amount owed it. In a

He added:“FCT Administration needs enough fund to build infrastructure and keep the city running. The administration has decided to go after the Ministries, parastatals, agencies and private individuals.We cannot wait to see government money tie down, is wrong for people not to pay for services rendered” .

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