by Yinka Yusuf

The minister of state for power, Arc Nuhu Way has explained that the Nigerian German Energy partnership MOU, signed in August 19th, 2008 includes short, medium and long term projects, to achieve goals in the three focal areas of oil and gas, power and capacity building.

Arc Nuhu stressed that the power projects initially identified under the partnership alone could have added 6500 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
The minister of state for power who disclosed this at the Nigerian-German meeting in Abuja noted that the partnership power projects are diverse and focus on a balanced mix of power generation.

This means, according to him, that the partnership projects were selected to increase the energy mix provide generation assets in areas where there is no power generation assets, use available feed stock for producing power, such as coal, wind, sun, water waste and of course oil and gas.

He explained further that the projects are sited in areas closest to where the power is to be consumed, thus helping to stabilize the grid and reduce technical losses.
Arc Wya congratulated the Nigeria integrated power project (NIPP) and siemens on the signing of the EPC contract to build Geregu II power plant adding another 454wm of installed capacity.

The minister informed members of government plans for implementing the reforms they have embarked upon and the role members can play while urging them to set the example by investing in the power sector.

In the oil and gas sector, he maintained that E.ON ruhrgas the only company to submit a bid for Eastern concession central processing facility under the gas master plan, also applied for its first allocation of gas, LNG and LPG.

According to the minister “one of our greatest challenges is the low level of capacity in our country. When you think that NIPP and PHCN alone have increased installed capacity by 3,000mw in the last five years and we require over 2,000 mw installed capacity per year to achieve 20,000 mw by 2020, then you can begin to see the immense technical capacity we require”.

by Yinka Alege

Voice of the electorate (VOTE) has expressed confidence in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to conduct and deliver a free and fair election 2011 just as it stated that its goal is to unite Nigerians around that purpose that their votes will count in next year's general elections.
They believe that as Nigerian, they have the responsibility to advance this vision, not only by words, but justify it through their actions.

Alhaji Kabiru Giant, the North west coordinator of VOTE in an interactive in Abuja explained that voice of the electorate is not only a child of emerging national events, it is a change agent and a game changer, spearheading a paradigm shift within the Nigerian electoral space.

The North West coordinator of vote emphasized that, “from the plains of Umuahia in Abia to the Mambila Plateau in the South East corner of Taraba, to the rocky mountaintop of Gusau in Zamfara, to the glory of lands in Yenogoa, to the rocky mountain top of Abeokuta in Ogun state, Nigerians will speak in 2011 with one voice under the guidance of VOTE. VOTE will take its campaign to every street corner and doorstep in Nigeria.

“We enlighten eligible voters on the essence of their electoral obligations, and assist to ensure that the right leadership is achieved, that represents their wishes and aspirations as exercised through their votes”.

He declared that democratic processes are the hallmarks of genuine democracies, manifested through the power of meaningful participation and stake holding, embodied largely through the efficacy of the votes of the electorate.

According to Kabiru, this necessitates for an enlightened voter, who understands the entire chain of the electoral process as a core vehicle to effect change in a polity and to ensure electorate wishes are secured through the vote.

Alhaji Giant reiterated that vote demands a fairer voting system which is truly representative of the Nigerian people and promotes political equality and fairness.