ENERGY

Two-thirds of Africa’s population still don’t have access to electricity – and it’s threatening the security of the continent

Published

5 years ago

…Development aid, military infrastructure and assistance with pushing through crucial reforms will be in vain unless the West helps its African partners eradicate energy poverty…

An engineer at the state-run Kenya Generating Company hydro-electricity dam control room at Masinga. Some African governments – Kenya in particular – have embraced policies aimed at bolstering future energy security

Africa is booming. I feel it every time I land in Nairobi, Accra and Lagos. Hotels are filled to the brim and the energy on the streets and boardrooms is tangible. The rest of the world is at long last starting to take note.

But the true potential of millions of Africans is still being stunted by the lack of access to reliable and affordable energy. More than 640 million people, two-thirds of the continent’s population, do not have access to electricity. The African Development Bank estimates that Africa’s power outages sap up to four per cent of its GDP growth from its economy every year.

This is crippling the continent’s economies and destabilising societies. Energy poverty has become a matter of national security. Europe must step up efforts to help Africa eradicate energy poverty before it irreversibly affects the ability of nations to fight poverty and save lives.

On average, global cities are growing by around two per cent a year. African cities are growing much faster – at approx eight per cent – as more of the continent’s population move to cities. Despite the challenges it creates, rapid urbanisation does not need to impede Africa’s progress. It can often translate into improved living standards and development levels. But in order for this to happen, Africa’s poor must have access to economic opportunity and stability – something that the continent’s leaders can deliver only if they ensure access to reliable energy supplies. As African countries attempt to eradicate extreme poverty, including energy poverty, demand for affordable energy will be critical. The provision of energy and the infrastructure used to transport supplies is key to African national security and stability.

Access to clean and fairly priced energy will improve lives in Africa. People will be able to work longer, women will be able to walk home at night under the safety of working streetlights and hospitals will be able to provide better care to patients. On the other side of the development spectrum, affordable and reliable energy supply will be crucial to emerging tech hubs such as Nairobi and Kigali. Without it, leaders will not be able to support the aspirations of young, talented Africans.

Some African governments – Kenya in particular – have embraced policies aimed at bolstering future energy security. Looking ahead, Africa’s leaders must implement ambitious programmes that tap in to energy infrastructure investments, both foreign and domestic. They should do more to increase energy supply and access to electricity. There is an African proverb that says: “If you want to go fast, you go alone; if you want to go far, you go together.” In this spirit, Europe and the United States must also do their bit to fuel African growth. Above all, we can help the continent plug gaps in the energy infrastructure network.

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ENERGY

Ikeja Electric rolls out prepaid meters for Ikorodu customers under MAP Scheme

Published

4 years ago

Christopher

Ikeja Electric rolls out prepaid meters for Ikorodu customers under MAP Scheme

Ikeja Electric Plc. (IE), one of Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution companies has announced the roll-out of prepaid meters for customers in the Ikorodu Business Unit.

According to the Disco, the deployment and installation of prepaid meters to customers in Ikorodu, which will be carried out by one of its MAPs, New Hampshire Capital limited, will commence on June 17th 2019 following the successful registration and subscription for meters by thousands of customers spread across Ikorodu and Epe.

This was made known at a media briefing held in Ikorodu which was attended by customers, stakeholders under Ikorodu Business Unit of Ikeja Electric. According to Ikeja Electric, this is part of the first phase, which will further extend to Abule Egba and Shomolu Business Units next week.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC empowers third party companies identified as Meter Asset Providers (MAP) to procure and install meters for electricity consumers under this scheme. Customers applying for prepaid meters are expected to visit map.ikejaelectric.com to register.

Speaking on the roll-out, Head of Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, Felix Ofulue said, “In line with NERC regulations, customers are expected to pay for meters. Through the online process, customers are to abide the rules and regulation guiding the metering process and they should not to pay cash to anyone or fall prey to unscrupulous element who may want to take advantage of the scheme to fleece customers. They will be advised on the designated channels for payment”

While explaining the process, he noted that every customer is expected to go through the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and also agree on settlement of the outstanding debt. After this, account survey will then be carried out before payment for prepaid meter is made. The meters will be provided and installed within 10 working days of payment.

Ofulue also advised customers who dispute their outstanding bills to take advantage of the various repayment options available during the KYC process. Outstanding balance can also be rolled over into the customer’s prepaid account and paid in instalments.” he said.

According to him, the stipulated cost of a single-phase meter is N38, 850 while a three-phase meter is N70, 350. These are all inclusive of VAT.

To apply for the prepaid meter, customers are to complete or update their details by visiting http://map.ikejaelectric.com/. They can send email to CustomerCare@ikeJaelectric.com or call on any of 01-448-3900, 01-700-0250 and 0700-022-5543 for further information.

ENERGY

The Rise Of Air Pollution, And What We Can Do About It

Published

4 years ago

In March 2019, Tropical Cyclone Idai, a category 2 storm, made landfall near Beira City, Mozambique and caused so much catastrophic damage that left over 600 dead and over 1,500 missing. Barely a month after, a different storm, Tropical Cyclone Kenneth hit Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province, also causing widespread devastation. Over 4,000 kilometres away in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the continuing emission of black soot is incubating a series of disastrous long term effects such as respiratory tract infections.

Although these events may seem unrelated, they boast an underlying singular cause – the furtherance of global warming and climate change, driven by CO2 emissions and other air pollutants. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 92% of people worldwide do not breathe clean air.

Around the world, air pollution costs economies $5 trillion yearly in welfare. Ground-level ozone pollution is set to cause a 26% reduction in staple crop yields by 2030. But what actions are causing this rise in air pollutants? What is the worst-case scenario if we’re not able to tackle this catastrophe? And do our everyday activities promote (and possibly reduce) its effect?

The Use Of Fossil Fuels Is Driving Air Pollution

One of the primary sources of air pollution is the emission of sulphur dioxide from burning fossil fuels. Our cars, trucks, planes and other means of transportation we use regularly are the major causes of this emission. This is particularly more prevalent in cities around the world with more relaxed laws on vehicle worthiness as cars and other vehicles with properly serviced engines produce less of these harmful pollutants.

Agricultural activities, such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers, burning of farmland, are also significant sources of air pollutants. This is one of the reasons why air pollution has been difficult to beat; we rely so much on these processes for moving around and growing the food that we eat.

Drought, Floods and Cyclones Are All Linked To Air Pollutants

The implications of air pollution on human, animal and plant life are far-reaching; it has been linked to disability and early death as a result of respiratory diseases, cancer and many other health diseases. The effects on our planet are perhaps even more catastrophic; air pollution is playing a pivotal role in the growing impact of drought, flooding and even cyclones.

ENERGY

EASTER HOLIDAY: IKEJA ELECTRIC ASSURES CUSTOMERS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Published

4 years ago

Christopher

EASTER HOLIDAY: IKEJA ELECTRIC ASSURES CUSTOMERS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Lagos, Nigeria; April 18, 2019: In a move that clearly demonstrates its readiness to deliver efficient services to customers, leading Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), has assured customers across its network of its commitment to ensure hitch-free services during the Easter holiday.

While wishing all its customers a safe and enjoyable holiday season, on behalf of the company, the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, also urged customers to take advantage of its numerous channels for payment of electricity bills to avoid disconnection during the holiday period.

Ofulue explained that measures have been put in place to ensure network stability and smooth operations during the Easter holidays. “In anticipation of customers’ expectations during the holiday, we have provided a maintenance process to monitor and patrol the network to ensure faults are cleared as and when due and also mitigate the effect of any threat to supply,” he said.

He also cautioned against harassment of its employees on duty, noting that IE has provided multiple channels and customer care touch points through which customers may seek redress. He confirmed that Customer Service has expanded its teams dedicated to handling customer complaints and they can be reached on 01-448-3900, 01-7000-250, 0700-022-5543.

Ofulue further reiterated IE’s commitment towards improving its service delivery, stressing that the company has been replacing defective utility poles and transformers to ensure safe and efficient distribution of supply. He also advised customers not to resort to using those unqualified electricians to clear fault in their areas, adding that such activities were usually responsible for most of the technical problems on the network.