Environment

Customers of collapsed UK energy suppliers to be moved to E.ON

More than 230,000 customers from three collapsed energy suppliers will move to E.ON under plans agreed by the industry watchdog, as soaring wholesale gas and electricity prices shrink the pool of independent providers.

Ofgem said it had appointed E.ON Next – the new consumer brand of the German energy group – to take on customers of Igloo Energy, Symbio Energy and Enstroga.

The move comes as rising gas prices continue to cause turmoil in the sector, prompting warnings that growing numbers of people will struggle to pay their bills this winter amid a sharp rise in household energy costs.

Against a backdrop of consolidation across the industry as major firms take on the customers of collapsed providers, the Ofgem announcement came amid speculation that Ovo Energy, another of the industry’s biggest firms, may be considering making a takeover offer for Bulb Energy.

It was announced last Wednesday that Igloo, Symbio and Enstroga had collapsed, taking the number of suppliers that have gone under so far this year to 12. Of the three, Igloo was the biggest, with about 179,000 domestic customers.

Ofgem said the customers had been moved over to E.ON Next after a competitive process designed “to get the best deal possible” for the affected households, and that no one’s supply would be interrupted.

Neil Lawrence, the watchdog’s director of retail, said: “We understand this news may be unsettling for customers; however, they do not need to worry. Their energy supply will continue as normal and customer credit balances will be honoured.”

E.ON Next would be in contact with customers over the coming days with further information, he added.

Ofgem said that if customers wished to switch supplier, they could shop around, but they were being advised to wait until the transfer had been completed. Money that people have paid into their accounts will be protected where they are in credit.

Under Ofgem’s “supplier of last resort” scheme, financially healthy companies take on customers from collapsed rivals. Those households that were on cheaper fixed-rate tariffs, often used by smaller “challenger” suppliers to woo new customers, will typically see their bills increase to the government’s energy cap. For a household with average gas and electricity consumption, this is £1,277 a year.

There could be further consolidation in the sector over the coming weeks, with Sky News reporting that Ovo Energy is set to table a takeover offer for Bulb this week in an attempt to create the UK’s second largest energy supplier. Ovo has 4.5 million customers, while Bulb has 1.7 million. British Gas would still remain the market leader, with 6.8 million residential energy customers and 450,000 small business clients.

Octopus Energy has previously been named in reports as a supplier that could consider bidding for Bulb, which made a £63m loss in the year to 31 March 2020.

Ovo declined to comment. Bulb said: “From time to time we explore various opportunities to fund our business plans and further our mission to lower bills and lower CO2. Like everyone in the industry, we’re monitoring wholesale prices and their impact on our business.”

Environment

NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine and dust haze

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted weather conditions featuring sunshine, dust haze, and isolated thunderstorms across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook, NiMet predicted slight dust haze for the northern region on Monday, with localized visibility expected to range from 2 to 5 kilometers throughout the day.

The North Central region is expected to experience sunny skies with a hazy atmosphere, while the southern region will see sunny skies with patches of clouds. Thunderstorms and light rains are anticipated in parts of Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states during the afternoon and evening hours.

On Tuesday, November 26, moderate dust haze is forecasted for the northern region, with localized visibility potentially dropping below 1,000 meters. Slight dust haze is expected in the North Central region, while the southern region is likely to experience sunny skies with scattered clouds. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms, accompanied by light rains, are expected in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

NiMet’s outlook for Wednesday, November 27, indicates continued moderate dust haze in the northern region, with localized visibility below 1,000 meters. The North Central region will experience slight dust haze, with visibility between 2 to 5 kilometers. The southern region is forecasted to have sunny skies with patches of clouds and potential thunderstorms with light rains in parts of Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency cautioned the public about suspended dust particles and advised individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to take precautions during this period.

NiMet also warned of strong winds potentially accompanying thunderstorms in some areas, urging residents to stay safe and adhere to weather advisories.

Airline operators were advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective flight planning.

Environment

KAI demolishes 138 Shanties, dislodges 169 illegal Lagos residents

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI on Thursday demolished 138 shanties, subsequently dislodging 169 illegal residents occupying the Ajao Estate Canal bank in the State.

This development was made known by the Corps Marshal of the Agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd) at the Agency’s Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.

He said, ‘‘our intelligence sources identified the humongous infractions across the Ajao Estate Canal banks stretching several metres where people were living illegally in shanties and paid rents between 60,000 to 100,000 Naira to a particular syndicate and this made us activate our enforcement teams for a total dislodgement’’.

Cole expressed dismay at the brazen level of disregard for public health and safety due to the clustered illegal encampment, citing the development as a catalyst for the spread of communicable diseases, sexual violence and social issues resulting from the accommodation of miscreants in such hidden areas.

The Corps Marshal reiterated the Agency’s commitment to upholding the THEMES+ agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu which seeks to make Lagos cleaner and habitable for business, a mandate that KAI exhausts all resources on a daily to achieve in the State.

In his final comments, the KAI top man admonished Lagosians to desist from patronising illegal public encampments as he affirmed that many infractions will be identified and demolitions will be activated in due course.

Environment

Ogun Govt engages stakeholders on seamless CNG conversion

In a bid to reduce emissions and promote sustainable eco-friendly environment, the Ogun State government has engaged relevant stakeholders towards ensuring a seamless conversion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered.

Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the programme would engage staffers on quality and safety inspections of CNG-powered vehicles and refueling stations by relevant regulators.

Oresanya spoke during a three-day workshop on Application of Nigerian Industrial Standard, organised by the Ministry, in conjunction with Standard Organisation Of Nigeria, (SON), in Abeokuta.

He argued that, in achieving a safe environment for CNG usage, synergy with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Ministry of Transportation, Fire Services and those in charge of registration of gas stations, among others, must be adopted

The commissioner said, “Recent audits by the Ministry and its sister agency, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), revealed a lot of safety gaps and poor orientation by the handlers of the CNG and other stakeholders had been the major cause of fire incidence experienced earlier in the year, which could have been averted if necessary measures were put in place.”

Oresanya stated that a safety desk had been set up to regulate and ensure safe manufacture, distribution and handling of all gases in the state, as well as division of gas handlers into commercial and industrial sectors.

He urged all stakeholders involved in the exercise to adhere to standards and prioritise safety such that both regulatory requirements and protection of the health and welfare of our communities were maintained.

On his part, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, said the present administration in the state was committed to supporting the laudable initiative due to its economic advantage and reduction of emission.

He noted that adequate enforcement and regulations must be adhered to for a safer environment.

In their separate goodwill messages, Director General, SON, Dr. Ifeanya Chukwunonso, represented by Director, Laboratory Service, David Ikhebome, and Managing Director, Safety Plus, Mrs. Omolara Odebunmi, expressed their organisations’ determination to ensure improvement in the quality of CNG products, underscoring the need to train staffers on CNG safety precautions and its usage with different vehicles.