General
Ikeja DisCo Condemns Rising Energy Theft Amid Tariff Increase
The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja DisCo) has expressed serious concerns over the surge in energy theft following the Band A tariff increase implemented three months ago. The company warned that offenders caught stealing electricity will face immediate prosecution, moving away from merely imposing penalties for revenue loss.
This announcement was made during the company’s July Stakeholders Forum. In a statement released on Saturday, Ikeja Electric’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kingsley Okotie, highlighted the alarming rise in energy theft, particularly after the tariff review on Band A feeders. He emphasized the critical impact of this theft on the entire electricity value chain.
“The theft is massive, and the company cannot guarantee meeting customer expectations if this ugly trend continues. Ironically, some perpetrators believe that if they haven’t been caught, there are no consequences. This is false, and we must change the narrative,” Okotie stated.
Okotie stressed the importance of a united front against energy theft for the survival and stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. He pointed out that whatever affects power distribution companies has a ripple effect on the entire industry.
To combat this issue, Ikeja DisCo has implemented a whistleblowing platform, allowing customers to report incidents of theft anonymously. This platform is managed independently to ensure the confidentiality of whistleblowers.
“To reinforce the company’s commitment, IE is incentivising whistleblowing by rewarding those who report any illegality and theft of electricity. Persons who submit verified reports on Non-Maximum Demand (Residential & SMEs) offenders will get up to 10 percent of the reconnection fee paid by the offender, while for Maximum Demand (commercial & industrial) offenders, whistle-blowers will get up to 5 percent of the reconnection fees paid by the offender,” Okotie explained.
He further noted that energy theft is a criminal offense under the Electricity Act, attracting sentences of six months to three years imprisonment. Interfering with meters or the works of licensees carries a sentence of three years imprisonment. Ikeja Electric has the legal authority to prosecute individuals and companies for such offenses.
According to regulations by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), unauthorized access, meter tampering, and bypassing meters allow DisCos to disconnect customers. Reconnection is only possible after offenders pay for the loss of revenue, back-bills established by the DisCo, reconnection costs, and administrative charges.
General
Google Pushes Back Against Potential DOJ Proposal to Sell Chrome
Google has reacted strongly to reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) may propose forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser as part of antitrust remedies. The DOJ is expected to present its final recommendations to a judge this week in response to an August ruling that deemed Google a monopoly in online search.
Bloomberg reported the DOJ might also push for new restrictions on Google’s artificial intelligence (AI), Android operating system, and data usage practices. In a statement, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland criticized the proposal, saying, “The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case.”
Mulholland warned that such measures would harm consumers, developers, and U.S. technological leadership at a critical time for innovation.
Chrome is the dominant web browser worldwide, commanding 64.61% of the global market as of October, according to Similarweb. Google’s search engine, with an estimated 90% global market share, benefits significantly from being the default search option in Chrome and other browsers, such as Safari on iPhones.
Judge Amit Mehta previously described default search engine agreements as “extremely valuable real estate” for Google, noting that competitors would need to spend billions to secure similar deals.
The DOJ has hinted at potentially breaking up Google to address concerns over its ability to leverage products like Chrome, the Play Store, and Android to maintain its search monopoly. Final proposals are expected to include remedies aimed at limiting Google’s dominance across multiple platforms.
Google remains firm in its opposition, maintaining that the proposed measures would negatively impact users and innovation. The outcome of the DOJ’s recommendations will shape the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech industry.
General
Switzerland and Italy Redraw Alpine Border as Melting Glaciers Shift Boundaries
Switzerland and Italy have been compelled to redraw sections of their shared border in the Alps due to the ongoing effects of melting glaciers, driven by climate change. The revised boundary will affect areas near the iconic Matterhorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks, and regions close to well-known ski resorts such as Zermatt.
The Swiss-Italian border is traditionally defined by glacier ridgelines or perpetual snow areas. However, as glaciers shrink, these natural demarcations have shifted, prompting both nations to adjust the border accordingly. A draft agreement was reached in May 2023 by a joint commission, and Switzerland officially approved the changes last Friday, with Italy’s final approval still pending.
The new borders, which will impact locations like Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin, aim to address the practical needs of both countries, particularly in terms of maintaining natural areas. The clarified boundaries will also help resolve responsibility for managing these regions as the landscape continues to evolve.
Melting glaciers have revealed a number of surprising discoveries in recent years, including the remains of a German climber missing since 1986, found last July near the Matterhorn. Such discoveries highlight the rapid rate at which the glaciers are retreating and the broader impacts of climate change on the region.
General
Martinez Banned for ‘Offensive Behaviour’ by FIFA
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for “offensive behaviour” during recent World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
The suspension stems from two separate incidents. In the 3-0 win over Chile on September 6, Martinez controversially repeated his provocative celebration from the 2022 World Cup by holding a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch. This was Argentina’s first match since their Copa America victory in the United States in July.
Four days later, after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia on September 10, Martinez hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch.
The Argentina Football Association expressed disagreement with the suspension but acknowledged that Martinez was “responsible” for his actions. The ban means Martinez will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
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