THE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has explained the rampant blackout being experienced across the country in the last three weeks.
The generation level, which was put at about 3140mw, is currently about 1930mw. This is resulting in heavy rationing (load-shedding) of the available generation.
The majority of residents in Lagos and other parts of the country spent the Christmas celebration in darkness. Despite complaints from electricity consumers, the power utility company couldn’t help matters. Officials of the company gave different reasons ranging from lack of gas supply to equipment breakdown.
PHCN’s management, in a statement, however, said the major cause of the abysmal drop in supply, has been as a result of disruption of gas supply to Nigeria’s biggest power plant - Egbin power station and its adjoining station – AES power plant resulting in loss of over 1210 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
PHCN management in the statement apologised for the inconveniences; the poor supply has been causing Nigerians, especially in this celebration period.
"The management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria wishes to apologise to its valued customers nationwide on the current load-shedding which is due to the limitation of power generation that occurred as a result of sudden disruption of gas supply to Egbin and AES power plants on 27, December 2010.
"This led to a shutdown of the two stations and a subsequent loss of over 1,210 MW from the National Grid that led to a total system collapse.
"This also affected the operation of an essential unit of the power plant, the water production unit at Egbin.
"Gradual restoration of the water production plant has been on-going with three of the five available units now on load, while PHCN engineers are working round the clock to restore the other units as soon as possible.
"We appeal to our esteemed customers and other stakeholders for understanding and cooperation as there will be substantial improvement in power supply nationwide after the repairs."
The Federal Government in an effort to address the intractable poor power supply, has decided to privatise PHCN this year and President Goodluck Jonathan had set aside N130 billion to address labour issues and payment of severance benefits to PHCN staff that might be affected by the reform and privatisation.
The provision of N130 billion, according to government, was based on consultants’ assessment of likely liability of pension claims of workers of the PHCN while the final figures will be determined after negotiations with labour unions of PHCN.
The N130 billion was captured in the 2010 supplementary budget for the full payment of all financial benefits that would accrue to PHCN workers in the 18 successor companies from the unbundled PHCN.
Source: www.thenationonlineng.net
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