Most Nigerians have lost hope in the power sector and do not believe stable power is attainable in the country.
The power sector in Nigeria has been faced with numerous challenges. One day, you think it is improving, the next day it is getting worse.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the nation’s power generation capacity dropped from 3,959 megawatts on January 4 to 2,662 megawatts on January 22.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, January 25, Nigeria’s Power Minister, Babatunde Fashola, explained why Nigerians have been experiencing erratic power supply recently.
1. Debts
The minister noted that gas suppliers have not been fully paid due to liquidity problems. He said he has been meeting with them trying to see how some of the debts can be paid off.
2. Sabotage by Niger Delta militants
Fashola said the destruction of pipelines my militants has greatly affected power output. He said the Escravos Lagos pipeline and Forcados export terminal have been out of operation because of this.
“So, if you can’t produce oil, you can’t take the gas. The gas is the fuel that the power plants need. You have seen what we have been doing in increasing the capacity in firing transmission but if we don’t have fuel to fire the plants, that is the reason,” he said.
3. Fire incidents
A fire incident in Afam power plant was said to have affected the control room and another one occurred at Kainji too.
“These are normal engineering accidents that can happen, the mechanical parts can break down,” he explained.
Fashola said they have tried to repair them at the weekend.
