Nigeria’s total electricity generation has dropped to a meagre 2,800 Megawatts, the lowest in nearly a year, as Nigerians struggle with mini-heat waves due to rising temperature.
The Ministry of Power said Thursday that power output dropped from a recent peak of 4,500MW on April 3, to 2,800 as of March 30.
Godknows Igali, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry blamed the huge cut on “vandalism of gas pipelines”.
Mr. Igali spoke at a meeting with the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ade Abolurin, where he called for increased protection of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
He said the affected pipeline is the Escravos route.
“As at April 3, which is the nearest reference point for us, we were able to generate about 4,500MW on the grid, but as at this morning we had gone down to about 2,800MW.
“So you can see how much power we have lost as a result of vandalism, that is why power supply has become very bad all over the country because of these strange Nigerians that continue to deliberately blow up our gas pipelines,” Mr. Igali said.
All Nigerian cities, including the capital Abuja and Lagos, have witnessed one of the worst electricity supplies in recent years, with power available for less than five hours a day in many areas.
The supply has dropped even more in the last weeks as many Nigerians struggle with rising temperatures.
The permanent secretary decried the activities of the vandals and described their action as national economic sabotage.
He said the ministry of power was working more closely with the security agencies, especially the NSCDC to adequately protect power infrastructure across the country.
Mr. Igali said the damaged pipelines were being repaired to boost power generation and distribution across the country.
Earlier, the Civil Defence boss, Mr. Abolurin, who strongly condemned the activities of the vandals, said personnel were working to curtail the menace of pipeline vandalism in the country.
He said the NSCDC had acquired more vehicles, boats and gadgets to aid its operations, especially in the Niger Delta region.
Mr. Abolurin said in 2015, about 50 culprits have already been convicted by the law courts while several others had been arrested and awaiting prosecution.
He said the NSCDC would not relent in his effort to ensure adequate security and protection of critical power infrastructure across the country in line with its mandate.
The NSCDC chief also appealed to the private investors operating the power infrastructure to make their own provisions for security to compliment government’s effort.
(NAN)
What about the Multi Billion Naira Surveillance Contract awarded to Asari, Tompolo and Ganiyu Adams? Is the Escravous not covered in the surveillance contract? Why bring in the NSCDC into this? Please I need explanation here so that I do not make an uninformed comment here.
ReplyDeleteOur fellow Nigerians are putting us back in darkness - that is corruption. The next government may have to consider death penalty as one of the options for the law court judge.
ReplyDeleteNigerians who believe everybody will have to suffer for their own individual selfish interest will face prosecution. However, the government must begin to put the right policies in place to speedily and fairly prosecute criminals through the court system. The current Nigeria court system will need revamp to correct obsolete rules and introduce new approach.
Let us kill all the formal presidents now ?? I don't think you guys need peace in this country with all this stupid statement , Are we going back to fight again ? why are you people praying for buhari to state probing people now that to start working for us so that we can get light and jobs not to end with the same stories ??
ReplyDeleteThis obviously is a controversial topic. Expecting Mr. Buhari to change Nigeria overnight is impossible. We have a huge expectation on him for the power and job opportunities for a better a better life in Nigeria. Comparing the generator prices in Nigeria is a temporary option to light our lives.
ReplyDelete