Nigeria's power supply crisis might deepen

[Richard Akindele]

Energy experts have warned that the power supply crisis in Nigeria may deepen and assume a nation-wide dimension.

By Yakubu Lawal

The experts said that the looming crisis was due to inactivity in some of Nigeria's power generating stations and lack of maintenance on existing power infrastructure nation-wide.

But the management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc (PHCN) has said that the delay in the repairs of the Escravos-gas pipeline vandalised in February 18, 2006, was resulting in the shortfall in generation and consequent load shedding.

"As at the time of writing, four calendar months after the incident occurred, repairs have not commenced," a statement issued by the management said.

"As a result of this, there has been incessant molestation of PHCN staff, destruction of office facilities and installations across the country."

The warning also followed the incessant electricity outages being experienced in parts of the country since late last year, which had also raised concerns among Nigerians.

The experts, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Abuja, hinged their position on "the present serious power outages across the country, with no immediate solutions in sight".

The industry players further expressed belief that the impending crisis was compounded by the past neglect of the existing power stations in relation to their maintenance and proper management.

"A lack of long-term planning, mismanagement and corruption on the part of some of the workers of the former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), now Power Holding Company of Nigeria, more especially by some of the technicians, also worsened the situation," they said.

"We do not have enough electricity because we do not have enough power stations," one of the energy experts said.

International standards

The expert said international standards dictate that countries should have an electricity reserve capacity of at least 15%.

"Unfortunately, Nigeria has none in its electricity capacity and that is the dilemma in our power sector. We are currently not generating enough to meet the nation's demand, not to talk of reserving some megawatts as backup," an electrical engineer noted.

However, the federal government has promised to achieve 10 000 megawatts of electricity power by 2007.

The PHCN currently generates about 3 000 megawatts of power, but about 800 megawatts are now being lost due to inadequate gas supply to fire the thermal generating plants.

The power sector in the country is currently undergoing a reform programme designed to ensure stable and regular power supply.

The reform had led to the incorporation of the PHCN, which took over from NEPA assets and liabilities, as part of steps aimed at unbundling the latter into various business outfits.

PHCN, which replaced NEPA, is being prepared for outright privatisation to ensure efficient service delivery.

The Guardian

[Richard Akindele]

ELECTRICITY supply by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria has worsened nationwide, dropping below 2000 Megawatts and heightening the spectre of increased cost of doing business in the country.

A statement released by Mrs. Efuru Igbo, PHCN's Assistant General Manager, Public Relations confirmed the worsening power supply situation in the country, while fingering lack of adequate gas supply for the anomaly.

She disclosed that power consumers in the country where still far away from enjoying steady electricity supply as the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) is yet to start repairs on its vandalised gas pipelines that supply the 1250 Megawatt Egbin Gas Power Station.

"PHCN is worried by the delay in the repair of the Escravos Gas Pipeline vandalised February 18th 2006, resulting in the shortfall in generation and consequent load shedding. As at the time of writing, four calendar months after the incident occurred, repairs have not commenced," she said.

She alleged that as a result of this, there has been incessant molestation of PHCN staff, destruction of office facilities and installations across the nation.

"Lagos area alone witnessed four incidents since the pipeline vandalisation in February 2006, at Mushin, Ikorodu, Festac and Isale-Eko during which our staff were beaten up and properties worth millions of Naira damaged by the rampaging youths," she affirmed.

"Also, in Makurdi (Benue State), Daura (Katsina State), Owan (Edo State), Ikere (Ekiti State), Jikwoyi (FCT), Abeokuta (Ogun State), and Calabar (Cross River State) to mention a few, our staff were brutalised by irate customers and military personnel. It is inhuman and unfair to molest a defenseless citizen while performing his civic obligation.

"While we are sensitive to the plight of our customers, we wish to reiterate that the prevailing situation is not our making but mainly due to factors beyond our control. However, we have made concerted efforts to augment the generation shortfall from the hydro stations notwithstanding its limited capability at this period of the year.

"We appeal to the authorities responsible for the gas pipeline to expedite action on the repairs to guarantee adequate power supply and ameliorate the load shedding.

'Furthermore, we appeal to our customers and the media for understanding and assure that as soon as gas supply is fully restored, the power situation will drastically improve," she pleaded.

In a related development, the management, Eko Distribution Zone of Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc (PHCN) has redeployed three of his business managers.

The business managers being affected by the movement are that of Lekki, Mushin and Agbara/Badagry districts, respectively.

A statement by the zone's Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Godwin Idemudia indicated that the Business Manager of Mushin District, Mrs. Nana Hauwa Abubakar is to replace Engr. Sunday Sunmonu Famoritiye of Lekki District, who have been redeployed to Agbara/Badagry; while Engr. Damian Okorie formerly of Agbara/ Badagry has been moved to Mushin.

Mr. Idemudia stated that the zonal management took the decision to redeploy the managers as part of its routine administrative decision. He, however, assured electricity customers that with the new development sustainable service delivery would be enhanced in the areas controlled by the affected districts.

He also solicited for a continued collaboration with the customers, especially in the area of prompt payment of electricity bills so as to reciprocate the power company's efforts at bringing services closer to the customers.

Vanguard