Electricity generation inches up to 2,905 Mega Watts
Eko Electricity Distribution Company
. Consumers groan under incessant outages
The nation’s power situation, yesterday, received a slight uplift as power generation inched up to 2,905 Mega Watts (MW), from about 2,600MW recorded on Monday.
The Guardian investigations showed that the slight rise was recorded increased due to gas supply to some power plants which were hitherto faced supply challenges in recent times.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) generation details yesterday showed that the national grid now has about 2,905MW energy against the estimated 80,000MW required to meet national demand.
The breakdown of the generation, according to the Nigeria Electricity System Operator indicated that Ikeja Disco received 435.86MW; Abuja, 334.16MW; Eko, 319.63MW; Benin, 261.51MW; Enugu 261.51MW; Ibadan 377.74MW; Jos, 159.81MW; Kano 232.46MW; Kaduna, 232.46MW; Port Harcourt, 188.87MW; Yola, 101.70MW.
Notwithstanding the upward swing in generation level, electricity consumers across the country have continued to lament poor services by the distribution companies.
Some consumers in Ikotun; Ijegun road, Abaranje; Toyin Davies, Ejigbo; Iba Town, Ojo; Igando, Ayobo, Okota and Isolo areas of Lagos lamented an average of one hour supply in four days, while they alleged illegal extortions by the electricity officials.
A consumer on Makinde Street, Ijegun, Mrs. Betty Ajayi, berated the poor electricity supply in the area, claiming that they only pay estimated bills for energy not enjoyed.
“In fact, we suffered in darkness for about three weeks after which we were later planned for load shedding. It is very sad and unfortunate, that a country with abundant natural gas will always suffer in darkness due to lack of gas supply,” she said.
Another customer in Sam Sonibare street in Surulere, Tunde Sodeinde, who also lamented the incessant outages, said he pays an average of N13,000 for a mini flat monthly, while he is currently facing tough hurdles to secure a prepaid meter.
The Federal Government had earlier unveiled plans to add 1,200MW power to the national grid through nuclear power project.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the move was part of the government’s efforts towards diversifying its energy mix beyond the traditional sources of gas, oil and hydro to include nuclear and other renewable sources like solar, biomass and wind.
He said: “You must begin to break down the seeming complex issues around nuclear power into simple terms and language that our people can understand, we must try to demystify issues around nuclear power in Nigeria”.
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3 Comments
pure lack of leadership. There is no reason a country with the gas reserves should have problem supplying gas to power plants. This is just pure leadership and lack of implementation.
Keep blaming leaders and the country will not get there. It is followers that are destroying the pipes, tension cables, stealing electricity, etc.
NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE!!!
As unfortunately Black Africans, most especially Nigerians have been mentally cheated by the Mother Nature, it’s only true that the stupid brainless leaders should be blamed for this shameful situation in which Nigeria is found, with regard to refining petroleum. Instead of putting efforts together to liberate Nigeria from this evil, the only thing that goes on well is a lot of talk and fallacy, no effective action. Is Nigeria ever going to be delivered from this evil?
Too much talk and fallacy, but little or no action makes Nigeria the worst nation under the sun; therefore simple realizable things turn into nightmare.
All what is needed in power sector is total deregulation as it was done in the mobile phone sector. The president should send a total deregulation proposal to the congress in order to make the legislators committed to the same objective and become part and parcel of this dream that all Nigerians are in pursuit. Total deregulation will bring with it a clear business venture interest which in turn will attract private investors both in and out of the country. It should not be the government=s core business to generate and distribute electricity or refine
petroleum, but carry out the supervision as to assure perfect functionality of
the service. That should be left to business entities. There was a country
where to acquire a line telephone used to take from two to four years with
exorbitant price. After a total deregulation, telephone companies are now
offering all kinds of attractions and promos to get clients. This can also be
done in energy sector unless the president himself is suffering from myopia and
dementia.
We will review and take appropriate action.