Some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have suffered a disruption in power supply as suspected vandals have attacked the 330kV Lokoja – Gwagwalada transmission line 1, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The TCN in a statement on Sunday said the attack which took place in the early hours of November 9, 2024, affected three of its transmission towers.

“Early on Saturday, TCN engineers attempted to re-energize the 330kV Lokoja–Gwagwalada transmission line 1, but the line tripped. After efforts to reclose the line failed, a patrol team of TCN linesmen was dispatched to physically trace the line for faults. Upon inspection, they discovered that transmission towers T306, T307, and T308 along line 1 had been vandalized, disrupting bulk power transmission along the route.

“Further examination revealed that the vandals had stolen two spans of aluminium conductor from line one. The Lokoja–Gwagwalada line is a double-circuit transmission line, and while TCN is still supplying bulk power through line two, efforts are underway to source replacement aluminium conductors for the two spans stolen from line one”.

TCN noted that “the rising trend of vandalism targeting transmission lines and towers has become a significant challenge, severely impacting the country’s power infrastructure and hindering the expansion and stability of the national grid. This recent incident adds to an alarming pattern of attacks on the transmission network nationwide.

“In the Gwagwalada area alone, recent acts of vandalism include the attack on the Gwagwalada–Kukuwaba–Apo transmission line on 10th December 2023, the Gwagwalada–Katampe line on February 26, 2024, and several others on that axis. Such acts of vandalism continue to disrupt the stability and growth of Nigeria’s national grid.

“We once again appeal to members of the public, especially residents of communities hosting transmission lines and towers, to collaborate with TCN and security operatives in combating this menace. Vandalism of power installations is a disservice to us all and undermines efforts to strengthen the nation’s transmission system”.

TCN did not, however, state which part of Abuja was affected by the supply disruption.

The development comes following incessant grid collapses (11 so far in 2024) that threw millions of homes into darkness across the country.

The total debts of the 36 states in Nigeria rose to N11.47tn as of June 30, 2024, despite allocations by the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), and their respective internally generated revenues (IGR).

An analysis of data from the public debt reports released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) said the rise was 14.57 per cent higher than the N10.01tn recorded in December 2023.

External debt for the states and the Federal Capital Territory also climbed from $4.61bn to $4.89bn within the period under review.

In naira terms, the debts increased by 73.46 per cent, from N4.15tn to N7.2tn, following the devaluation of the naira from N899.39/$1 in December 2023 to N1,470.19/$1 by June 2024.

However, domestic debt for states and the FCT declined from N5.86tn to N4.27tn.

In total, states and the FCT accounted for Nigeria’s public debt of N134.3tn in June 2024, a decrease from their 10.29 per cent share in December 2023, even as their nominal debt levels increased.

States Debts Surged By 38% To ₦10.01tn In One Year

Channels Television had earlier reported that the sub-national governments continued to grapple with a persistent reliance on borrowing to finance their budgets in 2023, as the total debt stock of the 36 states surged by 38.1%, from N7.25tn in 2022 to N10.01tn.

According to BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report released on Tuesday, the debt growth was partly driven by a N606.12bn increase in domestic debt, resulting in an average year-on-year growth rate of 11.4%. By 31st December 2023.

The total domestic debt stood at N5.86tn.

The situation was further complicated by rising foreign debt, which increased by 4.1%, from $4.43bn in 2022 to $4.61bn in 2023.

According to the report, the liberalisation of the exchange rate exacerbated the financial strain on states, significantly raising their foreign loan repayment obligations in naira terms.

Lagos State remained the most indebted in foreign currency, accounting for 26.9% of the total foreign debt, equivalent to $1.24bn.

32 States Relied On FAAC Allocations For 55% Revenue In 2023— Report

The DMO’s report comes after BudgIT’s report said that the 32 states of the federation relied on FAAC  for at least 55 per cent of their total revenue in 2023.

According to the 2024 report released last week, the development paints the over-reliance of state governments on federally distributable revenue and accentuates the vulnerability of the state governments to crude oil-induced shocks and other external shocks.

The report further said that 14 states relied on FAAC receipts for at least 70 per cent of their total revenue. Furthermore, transfers to states from the federation account comprised at least 62 per cent of the recurrent revenue of 34 states, except Lagos and Ogun, while 21 states relied on federal transfers for at least 80 per cent of their recurrent revenue.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the combined revenue of all 36 states in Nigeria increased significantly by 31.2 per cent from N6.6tn in 2022 to N8.66tn.

This growth rate exceeded the previous year’s increase of 28.95 per cent, indicating a notable improvement in fiscal performance.

Of the total revenue generated in 2023, Lagos State contributed N1.24tn, representing 14.32 per cent of the cumulative revenue of the 36 States.

Gross FAAC, which grew by 33.19 per cent from N4.05tn in 2022 to N5.4tn in 2023, contributed to 65 per cent of the year-on-year growth of the combined revenue of the 36 states.

“32 states relied on FAAC receipts for at least 55 per cent of their total revenue, while 14 states relied on FAAC receipts for at least 70 per cent of their total revenue.

“Furthermore, transfers to states from the federation account comprised at least 62 per cent of the recurrent revenue of 34 states, except Lagos and Ogun, while 21 states relied on federal transfers for at least 80 per cent of their recurrent revenue.

“The picture painted above buttresses the over-reliance of the state governments on federally distributable revenue and accentuates their vulnerability to crude oil-induced shocks and other external shocks.”

The report provides a detailed analysis of states’ fiscal sustainability, examining how well they balance internally generated revenue against federal allocations.

IGRs Shoot Up

On Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the states, the report said the domestic resource mobilisation capacity of the state governments seemed to improve in 2023, as the 36 states’ IGR grew by 20.33 per cent to N2.19tn from the N1.82tn garnered in 2022.

However, it was mixed fortunes for the states as the growth was unequal across the board: six states grew their IGR by more than 50 per cent, with Zamfara recording the highest growth of 240.22 per cent, while seven states recorded negative IGR growth, with Jigawa recording the worst decline among the 36 states.

Lagos State was the largest contributor to total state revenue, accounting for N1.24tn, or 14.32 per cent of the cumulative revenue.

The report also highlighted that only Lagos and Rivers states were able to generate enough IGR to cover their operating expenses, with IGR-to-operating-cost ratios of 118.39 per cent and 121.26 per cent, respectively.

On the other hand, states such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Taraba required over five times their IGR to meet operating expenses, relying heavily on federal transfers and external aid.

BudgIT advised “The fiscal viability and long-term sustainability of the states are largely dependent on their capacity to mobilise revenues internally—leveraging their natural resource endowments, technology, public-private partnerships, human capital, and consequence management adequate enough to finance critical infrastructure, invest in human capital development and social protection, pay the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustments, and amend the broken social contract.

“More specifically, the states would need to digitise revenue collection, eliminate cash-based transactions, deploy tax intelligence to enumerate tax liabilities of entities— particularly high net-worth individuals—and enforce compliance, harmonise its different taxes, levies and fees, fully operationalise its treasury single account, and improve the ease of doing business.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja not to grant the reliefs sought by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his fundamental right enforcement suit.

The EFCC, in its counter affidavit in opposition to Sanwo-Olu’s originating summons, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the governor’s action in the instant suit is a mere conjecture.

Recall that Sanwo-Olu, through his counsel, Darlington Ozurumba, had sued the anti-graft agency as sole defendant over alleged threat to arrest, detain and prosecute him after his tenure as governor.

In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, dated June 6 and filed on the same date, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs.

Sanwo-Olu sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”

He also wants the court to declare that upon community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.

The governor prayed the court to declare that the incessant harassment, threat of arrest and detention, against him upon the EFCC’s instigation by his political adversaries based on false and politically motivated allegation of corruption is a misuse of executive powers and abuse of public office.

He, therefore, sought an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, among others.

However, the anti-corruption agency, in its counter affidavit dated Oct. 30 but filed Oct. 31 by its lawyer, Hadiza Afegbua, said contrary to the governor’s claims, the EFCC neither threatened, invited or took any step at all to encroach on his right to freedom of movement nor violated his right to private and family life and personal liberty.

The EFCC’s objection was sighted on Monday in Abuja.

In the application, Ufuoma Ezire, a Superintendent and a Litigation Secretary in the Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, who deposed to the counter affidavit, averred that he was conversant with the facts of the case.

According to him, that I have the authority, consent and permission of the defendant to depose to this counter affidavit.

“That I have read and understood the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons and I hereby state that the depositions in Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 and even 8 are not true and are calculated attempt to mislead the honourable court.

“That the depositions in paragraph 4 sub 4(iv), 4(v), 4(vi), 4(vii), 4(viii), 4(ix), 4(x), 4(xi), 4(xii), 4(xiv), 4(xvi), 4(vii), 4(xviii), 4(xix), 4(xx), 4(xxi) ,4(xxii), 4(xxiv) and 4(xxv) of the plaintiff’s affidavit are unfounded, untrue and unknown to the defendant and are hereby denied,” Ezire said.

The official said the commission was not investigating the governor and had never invited him or threatened to arrest any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.

“That I know as a fact that the defendant invites members of the public for interview, interrogation or any engagement vide a written invitation, phone calls or text messages by any of its officers who shall introduce himself or herself by name, rank, designation, and Section to enable the invitee trace the officer easily.

“That no officer of the defendant could have invited the plaintiff or his aides without furnishing them with such detailed particulars of himself.

“That contrary to the depositions in paragraphs 5 of the plaintiff affidavit, the defendant did not intimidate, harass or threatened the plaintiff or subjected him to any trauma,” he said.

He said the agency was unaware of any threat to arrest Sanwo-Olu’s “aides, accusation of maladministration or diversion of Lagos State’s funds nor is it aware of any likelihood of a breach of the applicant’s right to liberty or right to own movable and immovable properties in this case.

“That the action of the plaintiff in this case is mere conjecture and speculations as there is no petition or any intel gathered before the defendant to warrant the men and officers of same to invite, threaten to arrest the plaintiff at the moment.

“That the entirety of the dispositions contained in the plaintiffs’ affidavit are not true, as the application is misconceived and brought in bad faith to mislead this honourable court.

“That the defendant is not in a position to deny or confirm the depositions in paragraphs 4 and 4(iii) as the defendant is not a party to the conversation between deponent and the plaintiff.

“That it will be in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff,” Ezire added.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed plans to probe the complaints filed against members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State.

Recall that the electoral commission declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election on September 21, 2014, in Edo State.

However, during a recent conversation with journalists, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption body, Demola Bakare, revealed that several complaints have been received against some INEC officials.

Reports had emerged earlier speculating how election observers who were present during the state’s recent election stormed the ICPC’s headquarters to lodge complaints against the INEC.

These observers, primarily legal professionals, had gathered under the umbrella of Tap Initiative, specifically calling for the arrest and prosecution of the commission’s officials for allegedly producing two sets of result sheets (EC8A).

The Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, had indicated that the commission’s actions had escalated to a point where they should be reported to USAID, EU, UK, and other international organizations.

However, the ICPC spokesman told Daily Trust yesterday, “When we are addressing a petition, we do not disclose the details.

“You can be sure that the petition was received, it was acknowledged. Definitely, if there is substance in it, we will do something about it.

“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about what we are doing. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”

Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that state employees will receive double salary payments in December.

According to Eno, the introduction of the 13th month salary, referred to as ‘Eno-Mber,’ is intended to enhance the festive season for civil servants, particularly in light of the delays surrounding the implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage.

According to Vanguard, the harmonization committee, led by the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, may not meet the one-month deadline set by the State government for the submission of its report, with the completion of the task now projected for the first quarter of 2025.

In an effort to allay the concerns of the workforce, the Governor announced the double salary payment during a church service at the Eternity Mission International Church in Uyo on Sunday, serving as a temporary relief prior to the rollout of the new minimum wage.

“I am aware that quite a number of our civil servants have relocated within Nigeria while others have gone abroad. We have to be sure that those receiving payments are real civil servants. My watchword since assuming office has been transparency and honesty in service deliverables and we have to ensure that we carry this through this verification exercise, which would soon be completed,” he noted.

The Akwa Ibom governor also warned those constantly working to disrupt the smooth relationship between the state government and the organized labour to have a rethink.

“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this state. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the state,” he recalled.

Other interventions which the Governor said should encourage the workers to imbibe good work ethics included the institution and payment of a bonus regime of N1.1billion naira to all public servants, prompt payment of salary, pension and gratuities.

The governor had also released funds, and ensured prompt payment of wage award to the State workers for three months to cushion the effect of high cost of living occasioned by the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal as well as free 150 homes at the Grace Estate for civil servants of grade levels one to eight.

Popular Nigerian actress, Sarah Martins has revealed that she became a gold digger after her past relationship with her ex-lover.

In an Instagram post, she revealed that she gave 50% of her salary to her ex-boyfriend for six months, only to discover he was using the funds to support another woman’s business.

According to Sarah Martins, this betrayal has left emotional scars, making her cautious about loving deeply.