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Tag: National grid collapse

  • Nigerians will shed tears If they see our investigation – EFCC boss discloses reason for constant national grid collapse

    Nigerians will shed tears If they see our investigation – EFCC boss discloses reason for constant national grid collapse

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has accused  electricity companies awarded the projects to supply electrical equipment, of buying substandard goods for power operations, noting that this has been responsible for the constant collapses of the national grid.

    The EFCC chair made this known on Tuesday when the House Committee on Financial Crimes visited the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.

    The anti-graft boss also lamented that Nigerians would be in tears if the Commission discloses what it has uncovered during its investigations, as he idenitified one of Nigeria’s problems in the last 15 to 20 years to below 20 per cent budget performance.

    He noted that the country could not achieve infrastructural or other forms of growth under such conditions.

    Olukoyede said, “As I am talking to you now, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears. People who were awarded contracts to supply electrical equipment, instead of using what they call 9.0 gauge, would go and buy 5.0.

    “So every time, you see it tripping off, getting burnt, and all of that. It falters, and it collapses. This is part of our problems.”

    “We discovered that in the last 15 to 20 years, we have not achieved up to 20% of our capital project implementation and execution. And if we don’t do that, how can we expect infrastructural development? How can we grow as a nation? So our mandate this year is to work with that directorate and with the National Assembly to see if we can reach 50% of capital project execution for the year.

    “If we achieve 50%, we will be fine as a nation. The lack of implementation of the capital budget is one of Nigeria’s major problems. And if we tackle that effectively, we will make progress as a nation. We are doing everything possible to prevent that, with your support.”

    Olukoyede stated that the commission had received over 17,000 petitions, adding that over 20,000 cases are currently under investigation.

    “We have several cases filed in court, apart from those with convictions, reaching thousands. In the last year, we have received over 17,000 petitions in the EFCC. And currently, as I am speaking, we are investigating over 20,000 cases.

    “Between last October and now, we have opened over 4,800 new cases. And what is our staff count? We are less than 5,000. Now, with the additional responsibility of over 700 MDAs, 36 states, 774 local governments, and all of that,” he added.

  • It’s false – FG speaks on National grid collapsing again

    It’s false – FG speaks on National grid collapsing again

    The federal government has denied claims that the national grid operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) collapsed again on Friday, 8 November 2024,

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the clarification follows complaints from Nigerians on social media about a sudden blackout being experienced in specific locations of the country, which was quickly attributed to another grid collapse.

    Refuting the reports, managers of the national grid, via a short statement in their account on the X account, noted that reports about a fresh grid collapse is false information and should be disregarded. 

    “Kindly disregard another grid collapse information being spread.

    “It’s false information!” the statement read.

    TNG understands that if truly the National Grid collapsed on Friday, as speculated by many,  it would be the third time it would happen within the space of one week.

  • National grid collapse: Appointing Adelabu as Minister of power, a great disservice to Nigeria – HURIWA slams Tinubu

    National grid collapse: Appointing Adelabu as Minister of power, a great disservice to Nigeria – HURIWA slams Tinubu

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu while reacting to the latest collapse of the national grid which occurred on October 14 and 15, 2024.

    The group, in a statement signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, argued that the Minister so far has shown a  high level of “gross incompetence”, adding that he is unfit for the role.

    Onwubiko said that Adelabu has been a revolving door for politicians who consistently fail to deliver results.

    Onwubiko said, “Nigeria has had the misfortune of some of the worst species of politicians posted to the Ministry of Power in the last two decades.

    “Most of them reportedly leave office with one anti-graft case or another, and they consistently fail to provide Nigerians with the electricity needed for industrial and economic growth.”

    The national coordinator, criticized the President Tinubu for appointing a politician with no expertise in power management to such a strategic role, stating that electricity is the backbone of Nigeria’s economic advancement, small and medium-scale enterprises, and infrastructure development.

    “We do not understand why President Tinubu considers it useful to have someone who brings nothing to the table as the Minister of Power.

    “Electricity powers economic advancement. It drives small and medium-scale enterprises and is the engine of the nation in terms of infrastructure and capacity building.

    “Appointing a round peg in a square hole for such a critical ministry is the greatest disservice this government has done to Nigeria,” Onwubiko added.

    HURIWA pointed out that the government’s excuses for the grid collapses have consistently failed to align with the realities on the ground.

    “For every failure, explanations of ‘system disturbance’ or infrastructure challenges are trotted out, but there has been no clear action plan to prevent further collapses.

    “Historically, Nigeria’s power grid failures have been a recurring nightmare, with the grid collapsing multiple times each year.

    “Under President Tinubu’s administration, the trend has worsened. In 2024 alone, the grid has collapsed seven times, worsening an already dire economic situation. Under the current government’s tenure, Nigerians have seen increased power outages, higher electricity tariffs, and little to no improvement in supply,” the organization noted.

  • Nigeria boosts power generation to 14,000MW, yet on-grid peak stalls at 4,804MW

    Nigeria boosts power generation to 14,000MW, yet on-grid peak stalls at 4,804MW

    The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), says Nigeria has successfully increased the power capacity of the national grid to approximately 14,000 MW from the previous 13,000 MW recorded a few years ago.

    Executive Secretary of APGC, Joy Ogaji, credited the boost to the recent addition of the $1.3 billion 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric plant in Niger state, which commenced operations in the second quarter of this year.

    “The national grid’s installed power generation capacity now stands at approximately 14,000 megawatts, and the commissioning of the Zungeru plant this year has significantly contributed to this increase,” Ogaji said.

    In February, the Federal Government designated Mainstream Energy Solution Limited as the preferred bidder for the plant’s concession. The company offered an annual fee of $700 million for a 30-year operating period.

    However, despite Ogaji’s assertion of the 14,000MW capacity, the records from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator reveal that the latest on-grid peak power generation, as of Saturday, was 4,803.60 MW.

     

     

     

  • Don’t pretend you care about the National Grid – Sowore to Atiku

    Don’t pretend you care about the National Grid – Sowore to Atiku

    The African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has chastised the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his comment on the national grid collapse.

    Newsmen reports that Nigeria’s power grid collapsed again on Wednesday, as it crashed from the 3,921.8 megawatts that were generated at 6 am to as low as 50MW around 12.23 pm, causing a widespread blackout across the country.

    Atiku while reacting to the news of the power grid collapse proposed an “innovative financing” of infrastructure that would facilitate private sector investment in the power sector.

    On his Twitter handle on Wednesday Atiku wrote; “I am reliably informed that there was a total National Grid Collapse at precisely 12:23 pm today. This is one collapse too many. It is the 6th time this is happening this year alone.

    “Due to the priority that I place on the power sector upon which the successes of other sectors are hinged, I am proposing innovative financing of infrastructure that will involve the facilitation of a review of the financial, legal, and regulatory environment to promote private investment in power, among other sectors.

    “I’ll promote the incentivisation, with tax breaks, a consortium of private sector institutions to establish an Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) to primarily mobilise domestic and international private resources for the financing and delivery of large infrastructure projects across all the sectors of the economy. The IDF will have an initial investment capacity of approximately US$20 billion.

    “In addition, I’ll cause the creation of an Infrastructure Development Credit Guarantee Agency to complement the operation of the IDF by de-risking investments in infrastructure to build investor confidence in taking risks and investing capital. -AA”

    However, Sowore alleged that the mismanagement of President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration under which Atiku served as Vice President was responsible for the recurrent grid collapse.

    He wrote, “The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16 billion to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law. Alhaji @atiku, don’t pretend that you care about the National Grid! #WeCantContinueLikeThis”

  • Between 50MW and 4000MW electricity for 200m citizens after 6 decades?

    Between 50MW and 4000MW electricity for 200m citizens after 6 decades?

    The news of the continued collapse of Nigeria’s power grid no longer shock citizens. They have adjusted to life, having realised they need to do all they can to provide means necessary for their productivity. This is not peculiar to electricity; security, social infrastructure, and other means also suffer. It is a pitiable situation for the people and the helplessness is palpably pitiful. More than 200 million of the population deserve better.

    Whether there would come a time in the nearest memory where the nation can boast of at least, comfortable 100 megawatts of electricity after over six decades of independence is something those who follow developments have sadly given up on.

    Smaller nations such as South Africa and others are boasting of hundreds of megawatts with some having to practically shut down injection stations because of over-availability. But here, Nigerians are having to deal with an unfriendly environment for doing practically everything; including knowledge acquisition in public institutions of learning.

    That the power grid collapsed again on Wednesday, 20th July, 2022, crashing from the 3,921.8 megawatts that was generated to as low as 50MW which caused widespread blackout across the country is not surprising. In fact, nothing surprises Nigerians any more. I was born to hear people shout “Up NEPA!” practically everyday as power must go off and come back on after some time. Those in power laugh at my efforts to see that my children don’t grow up to meet the same situation. I am more than afraid that I might fail as my own offsprings would grow up to still meet people shouting as near absence of power supply continue to be our bane.

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    With everyday occurences in the sector, Nigerians are increasingly beginning to believe the conspiracy theories about the stronghold of some powerful importers of power generating machines who would do anything within and out of their powers to frustrate availability of sufficient energy because of their ties with those in power. With the current economic policies and the waning purchasing abilities of citizens, access to alternative power sources have continued to be nearly impossible. High rate of poverty and unemployment due to the unfriendly economic climate continue to put the country in dire straits.

    For example, Industry figures obtained from the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja showed that power generation on the grid had hit a peak of 4,091.6MW on Tuesday which then dropped to 3,921.8MW on Wednesday morning, before crashing to about 50MW. This development led to the eventual collapse of the national electricity grid. This is not the first or the second time it is happening. It has happened repeatedly and has become a culture without any form of accountability or responsibility. In serious climes, heads should roll. People should get fired where something happens and the best explanation would almost be no explanations at all.

    Power or electricity is the one singular sector capable of launching the country on the global map towards real economic prosperity. The craft, grit and brilliance of citizens can better be encouraged with the availability of electricity. The entrepreneurial spirit of the people would better be ‘gingered’ if they have access to power on a regular basis.

    The frustration read from the tone of power distribution companies who confirm to TheNewsGuru about the collapse makes the matter even more pitiful. In fact, these companies had to put out various notifications to their customers, telling them they couldn’t get supplies because of the situation.

    Let me add at this point that things have worsened for citizens under the Buhari administration across sectors than they were under the government he succeeded. The power sector is not peculiar. This demonstrates the monumental level of ineptitude and crass incompetencies currently being paraded.

    Cleaner alternative energy sources in requisite qualities such as solar and others are beyond the reaches of average Nigerians. The only source they rely on is the public power which is unfortunately dwindling by the day.

    To read, “We are in talks with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ascertain the cause of the collapse and a possible restoration timeline. We will keep you updated on the situation,” is a bitter taste to the mouth of small business owners who have had to fight tooth and nail in recent times to purchase fuel from the filling stations as uncertainty rages between regulators and oil transporters.

    The Kaduna Electric had attributed the power failure in its franchise areas to the grid collapse. “We regret to inform our customers that the power failure currently being experienced is as a result of the collapse of the national grid which occured by 11:28am this (Wednesday) morning,” it stated.

    Also, Kano Electricity Distribution Company said the grid collapse led to blackout nationwide.

    What this means is there was no power the whole of Wednesday in majority states of the North. Calculate the cost of man hours lost and the economic productivity impeded. In turn, national economy records negative points. Simple Economics.

    The excuse by ‘experts’ and operators attributed the collapse to incessant vandalism of power infrastructure as well as the rupturing of gas pipelines that supplied gas to power plants is not enough. This is something that has been occuring and reoccurring. In fact, Wednesday’s collapse made it the sixth time the system had crashed in 2022. The nation’s power system also collapsed twice in March and twice again in April this year. Power generation on the grid had continued to fluctuate due to various concerns such as gas constraints, water management challenges, and gas pipeline vandalism, among others.

    Nobody is talking about proven efforts being put in place to address these anomalies. It is not enough to identify errors when there is no will to correct such wrongs.

    That the quantum of electricity on the grid crashed from over 3,000MW on April 8, 2022, to as low as 10MW was one of the lowest periods since the phenomenon began. Unfortunately, even if it totally crashed, the government would do nothing to those it has put in charge. Did I just say, ‘un charge?’ Are they in charge? I doubt if we are not on autopilot under this administration.

    Recall that the national grid had twice collapsed within a space of two days. The development made the Federal Government to summon a meeting of stakeholders to address the issue. With that, one would have thought all would become well going forward. But no; not in Nigeria. Not under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    That we are still hovering around 4000 megawatts of electricity and less is such a disgrace to say the least. Nigeria has a good deposit of resources it can use to generate electricity for the people’s use. It should not be enduring this high level dearth that is negatively impacting and frustrating efforts ordinary people to contribute, in practical terms, to the nation’s economy.

    Young people are out there working assiduously in all areas of endeavor – science and technology, art and craft, innovative hubs are also emerging in all corners of the nation from pure efforts of ordinary people. These set of persons must be encouraged to take their destinies in their own hands. These incessant collapse of the power grid must end.

  • Minister blames vandals for latest collapse of electricity grid

    Minister blames vandals for latest collapse of electricity grid

    The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has blamed the latest collapse of electricity grid on vandals. He says it was due to the sudden loss of about 400MW of generation, caused by vandalism on a transmission tower on the Odukpani — Ikot Ekpene 330kV double circuit transmission line.

    The Power Minister disclosed this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media) Isa Sanusi.

    His words: “Further to our earlier press release, we wish to apprise the general public that the immediate cause of national blackout (system collapse) was an act of vandalism on a transmission tower on the Odukpani — Ikot Ekpene 330kV double circuit transmission line thus resulting in a sudden loss of about 400MW of generation. This consequently led to a cascade of plants shut down across the country.

    “We wish to notify the public that power on the grid is being restored sequentially by the System Operator as other on-grid power plants are being dispatched to cover the lost generation capacity from the Calabar power plant owned by the Niger Power Holding Company Ltd.

    The minister said the federal government is probing the immediate and remote causes of the recurring grid failure in the country.

    He said the process of restoring power supply is ongoing following the national grid collapse at 6.30 p. m. on Friday.

    A statement by Sanusi noted that some sections of the national grid had been energised already and supply restored to consumers.

    “We wish to notify the general public of the incidence of a system collapse which occurred at 18:30hrs on April 8, resulting in power outages in many parts of the country.

    “A detailed investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the recurring grid failure is currently ongoing by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and System Operator of the national grid.

    “We wish to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government is working assiduously to deliver on the much-needed reforms and investments,” he said.

    Sanusi said the reforms included Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and other investment that are critical to improving the capacity and reliability of the national grid.

    He said that the reform was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on closing infrastructure deficits in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy

  • Nigeria thrown into darkness as national grid collapse for the 3rd time in less than a month

    Nigeria thrown into darkness as national grid collapse for the 3rd time in less than a month

    Almost all parts of Nigeria has been thrown into a fresh spell of darkness since Friday following the collapse of the national grid, the third in less than a month.

     

    The Kaduna Electric Company recorded the collapse as occurring at 6.29pm.

     

    Spokesman for the company, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said in a statement: “Dear Esteemed Customers, the management of Kaduna Electric regrets to inform you that the current outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to a collapse of the national grid,”

     

    “The collapse occurred at about 18:29 pm this evening. Normal power supply shall be restored as soon as the grid is restored. We sincerely apologise for all inconveniences.”

     

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and the Eko Electricity Distribution Company also confirmed the development in separate statements on Friday.

     

    “Please be informed that there has just been a national grid collapse causing an outage in our franchise areas,” the AEDC said and apologized for “the inconvenience caused and appeal that you bear with us while we await restoration from the TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria).”

     

    On its part,the Eko Electricity Distribution Company said: “Good evening everyone. We regret to inform you that the current outage affecting our entire network is due to system collapse.”

     

    The grid had first collapsed on March 14 with the second collapse following on March 16.