The Federal Government said yesterday
that the nation has recorded a loss of over 2,000 mega
watts in the national grid due to shortage of gas supply
to the thermal plants.
The government in a statement signed by the Chairman
of the National electricity Regulatory Commission,
NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi explained that only five out
of 23 power plants are currently generating electricity.
Dr. Amadi said that the Commission noticed with
concern the acute shortage of power supply and the
attendant hardship Nigerians are passing through.
He said “In the last couple of months, electricity supply
has been generally poor on account of increase in
vandalism in the run up to the April 2015 elections.
But this bad supply condition has worsened in the last
few days.”
According to him: “At present, 18 out of the 23 power
plants in the country are unable to generate electricity
due shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants with
one of the hydro stations faced with water management
issue. This has led to loss of over 2,000mega watts in
the national grid.
“This situation is further compounded by the recent
industrial actions embarked upon by workers in the oil
and gas industry, a development which is taking toll on
other sectors of the economy. Gas supplies to the
thermal plants have been further constrained by the
industrial actions of workers in the oil and gas
industry.
“The Commission had proactively engaged the gas
supply companies and its licensees when two weeks ago
discussion was held on how to firm up gas supply in
order to increase power supply.
“Unfortunately, not much progress was made through
this meeting as NNPC and its subsidiary Nigeria Gas
Company, disclosed high incidence of vandalism in some
areas that were relatively peaceful along its pipeline
networks.
“That meeting was told of the damage done to Trans-
Forcados pipeline in the western axis and elps gas
pipeline in the eastern axis. Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation had explained at the meeting
that repair works are being intensified even as it
expressed worry on the integrity of the pipelines on
account of incessant damage it has sustained.
“In essence, what has brought about this development is
the increased incidence of vandalism which is beyond
the control of the regulator and the industry operators.
This situation is further compounded by the industry
actions declared by the oil and gas workres.
“However, we have continued to engage with relevant
authorities on how fast we can address shortage of gas
supply to the thermal plants. We are also engaging
with the industry operators on how to improve
electricity supply.
“The Commission regrets the hardships which Nigerians
are being subjected to on account of this development as
we intensify efforts to bring the situation under control
in the shortest possible time.”
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