The federal government has blamed the planned maintenance at Egbin power station, gas supply constraints and sabotage of transmission lines for the ongoing power outages in four states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, said affected generating
units would return to service in phases, with the first units expected back
online within the next 48 to 72 hours.
He said the situation had forced grid operators to implement
load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall.
“I am aware of the strain that the current outages have
placed on households and businesses in four affected states, including Lagos
and the Federal Capital Territory,” Tegbe said in a statement posted on his
Facebook page on Friday.
“Planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station and constraints
in gas supply to some thermal power stations have reduced the amount of
electricity available on the national grid.”
The minister also attributed the reduced supply in some
locations, particularly Lagos, to sabotage of transmission lines.
“Sabotage of key transmission lines has also restricted the
use of alternative routes to supply some locations, especially Lagos,” he said.
Tegbe said the ministry is working to restore the affected
generating units and improve gas supply to power plants.
“My team and I are working to return the affected generating
units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the
next 48 to 72 hours,” he said.
“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply
and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure.”
The minister apologised to affected households and
businesses and said further updates would be provided as power supply improves.
On November 4, the minister directed the Transmission
Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and
electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to address operational challenges
responsible for the recent decline in power generation.
The NISO had separately attributed the decline in available
generation to inadequate gas supply to thermal plants and reduced water inflows
into hydroelectric reservoirs.
The development, which has led to significant load shedding,
had thrown the TCN and Ikeja Electric in a dispute over the causes of the
current power situation.
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