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Tag: National Grid

  • National Grid: Nigerians send strong message to Labour as union set to embark on fresh strike

    National Grid: Nigerians send strong message to Labour as union set to embark on fresh strike

    Nigerians have taken to social media to appeal to the organised Labour, Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) not to shut down the national grid ahead of a fresh industrial strike that may be declared.

    It would be recalled that the labour union shut down the national grid resulting in a blackout nationwide after they kicked off their indefinite nationwide strike on June 3rd.

    According to TCN, in a statement signed by Ndidi Mbah, it’s general manager, workers at the Benin Transmission Operator were sent from the control room and beaten by the protesters.

    Last week, the organized labour unsuccessfully negotiated with the federal government on a new national minimum wage and may embark on a fresh strike starting from tomorrow.

    Following the development, Netizens via social media are pleading with the labour unions to reconsider and not cut power supply.

    Sir David Onyemaizu wrote: “I’m not saying NLC shouldn’t go on strike, but whatever they do, make dem no touch that National Grid. Petrol is 750/litre. End.”

    Man of Letters. wrote: “Do what you have to, but keep your hands of the National Grid this time. For the sake of some of us who want to watch Euros and other patriotic citizens who care about people in hospitals who need light in ICU. Thanks and God bless.”

    @Morris_Monye wrote: “As much as we don’t want NLC to touch National grid, they will. It’s an inconvenience but they will anyways to drive home the point.”

    Sir David Onyemaizu wrote; “Imagine spending nearly 9 billion on travel expenses & funding Hajj pilgrimage with billions.Then turning around & telling the average Nigerian worker to make sacrifices because Nigeria cannot afford to pay a living wage. Shut down the National Grid, shut down everything.”

    Omo Kogi (Yagba) wrote: “NLC can strike but abeg make Unna no go near National Grid again ooo. After the strike Tuesday, NLC should declare a nationwide protest on Wednesday. What is good for Goodluck Jonathan is also good for Tinubu.”

  • NLC bickers as soldiers set to take over TCN plants across Nigeria

    NLC bickers as soldiers set to take over TCN plants across Nigeria

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disclosed receiving coded information that there are plans to deploy soldiers at various plants of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) around the country.

    This is coming after organised labour shut down the national grid at about 2.19 am on Monday, resulting in black out nationwide.

    “We have been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort at intimidating and harassing workers in its employ who are carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TC plants around Nigeria.

    “We warn that the Management of TCN would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the powers of the military. It is also important that we inform TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult on the military especially in a democracy.

    “We are sure that members of the military so misused by this deployment are not happy with the management and the authorities who have authorised the deployment,” a statement released by Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC president on the matter reads.

    The NLC president in the statement, stressed that the TCN made false claims regarding shut down of the national grid, adding that the company is not the only one impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers.

    The statement reads in full below:

    “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) categorically states that Nigerian workers will not be intimidated by the management of any organization or government entity over our rightful decision to withdraw services through the indefinite nationwide strike that commenced earlier this morning.

    “The spreading of outright falsehood to mislead the public instead of working with other stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by Nigerian workers via the NLC and TUC is not helpful in any way. It will rather inflame the anger of the suffering masses who are already burdened by the cruel policies of the federal government.

    “It is important that we therefore address the Press statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) where they made false claims regarding the indefinite nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) should understand that the company is not the only company impacted by the massive withdrawal of service across the nation by Nigerian workers. It should therefore not make it a TCN affair as other organisations also suffer one breakdown in service or the other as a result of the nationwide industrial action.

    The Management of TCN ought to have realised that the NLC and TUC issued a notice to the federal government since the beginning of May, 2024 on the issues of non-completion of the National Minimum Wage negotiation exercise and passage into Law and the vexatious hike in electricity tariff.  We had demanded a completion of the Wage setting process and a reversal of the hike in electricity tariff back to N66 / kwh without any positive response from the government.

    “We had thought that a responsible and proactive Management or organisation would have anticipated the impact of any nationwide strike on its operation and would have joined other stakeholders in urging the federal government to meet the demands of Nigerian workers.

    Unfortunately, the TCN was not responsive enough and could therefore not take adequate steps to assist government avert the indefinite nationwide strike. Perhaps, TCN is not deeply worried about the plight of Nigerian workers who suffer in penury as a result of their poor pay thus decided not to take any positive action. In any case, we are crying because government policies have impoverished us and made living exceedingly difficult.

    “One wonders whether TN’s management needs education on the dynamics of industrial action? It is not true that anybody was manhandled by us in any TCN location. May be, TCN in its effort to scuttle the strike tried to force workers to be at work not realising the resolve of all workers to stay away. Why would the grid not go down when the workers who operate them decide to withdraw their service? That is how it works and it further demonstrates that without workers, no wheel can turn; no work can take place any where.

    Nigerian workers led by the NLC and TUC has exercised due caution and unusual patience in our engagement with our social partners and this restraint has been grossly abused unfortunately which has led us to the present impasse. Trying to buck pass instead of accepting blame and taking necessary steps to put its house in order will not allow the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) make discernible progress.

    We would like the Organisation to take adequate measures to ensure that it discharges its responsibilities to Nigerians especially the Electricity sector instead of dissipating its energy on trying to insult Nigerian workers by its deliberate peddling of falsehood.

    We have been duly informed that the TCN management has resorted to the use of the military in its effort at intimidating and harassing workers in its employ who are carrying out their lawful and democratic duties at various TC plants around Nigeria. We warn that the Management of TCN would be held liable for any injury inflicted on any worker by their resort to the use of the powers of the military.

    “It is also important that we inform TCN that deploying military men to its locations is a clear abuse and insult on the military especially in a democracy. We are sure that members of the military so misused by this deployment are not happy with the management and the authorities who have authorised the deployment.

    “The NLC and TUC remains steadfast in its commitment to the emancipation of downtrodden Nigerians and will persist in the struggle for a fair and just living wage, as well as the reversal of the excessive electricity tariff hike. We call on all Nigerians to stand in solidarity with us as we demand the implementation of policies that prioritize the well-being of the people. We will not back down and we will not give in to any blackmail, intimidation or harassment.

    “We use this opportunity to appreciate all Nigerians for their solidarity on the first day of this indefinite nationwide engagement and call on them as we move into the second day of this struggle to come out in numbers and join the nationwide industrial action. It is our collective struggle and together, we can throw off the shackles that have kept us marooned in the cesspit of massive and excruciating suffering.

    “Let us meet again at the barricades! We can collectively assist the government to govern our nation better in such a way that the majority benefits from their policies and programs”.

  • Black-out as Labour leaders chase away electricity workers from national grid

    Black-out as Labour leaders chase away electricity workers from national grid

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria has confirmed to the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide.

    The TCN made this known in a statement through its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, where he noted the national grid shut down occurred at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024.

    Mbah explained that about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room.

    Mbah stated that staff members who tried to resist, were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room.

    According to Mbah, other transmission substations that were shut down, by the Labour Union include the Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba and Osogbo Transmission Substations, adding that some transmission lines were equally opened due to the ongoing activities of the labour union.

    Mbah said, “The power generating side, power generating units from different generating stations were forced to shut down some units of their generating plants, the Jebba Generating Station was forced to shut down one of its generating units while three others in the same substation subsequently shut down on very high frequency.

    “The sudden forced load cuts led to high frequency and system instability, which eventually shut down the national grid at 2:19am.

    “At about 3.23am, however, TCN commenced grid recovery, using the Shiroro Substation to attempt to feed the transmission lines supplying bulk electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. The situation is such that the labour Union is still obstructing grid recovery nationwide.

    “We will continue to make effort to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide.”

  • FG adds 625MW to national grid

    FG adds 625MW to national grid

    The Federal Government  has announced the  addition of 625MW of power to the national grid, increasing the grid’s wheeling capacity to 4800MW. .

    Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications to the Minister of Power said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

    Bolaji quoted the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu as saying  this at the inauguration of the 63 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA), 132/33 Kilo Volt (KV ) mobile station at Ajah, Lagos and at the inuaguration of 60MWA, 132/33KV Power Transformer in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi .

    According to the minister, the   pivotal project is a testament  to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola  Tinubu towards transforming the Power sector in the pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure for a better Nigeria.

    Adelabu said that the mobile substation being inaugurated was a strategic deployment aimed at improving the transmission capacity constraints by over 1300mv across the nation.

    He spoke on the significance of the project and other equipment undergoing installation under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

    Adelabu said that  the mobile substations equally stands as a beacon of hope for businesses, household reliant on uninterrupted power supply,  stopgap measure during maintenance and emergency.

    He commended  the collaborative efforts of the FGN Power Company, the German Government and Siemens Energy whose partnership has facilitated the production and installation of the substations.

    The minister also announced the remote inuaguration of a 60MVA power  transformer at Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi .

    “Together, these equipment will boost our transmission wheeling capacity by 123mw, thereby paving the way for enhanced electricity supply for all Nigerians”.

    ”I urgyall Nigerians to  safeguard these vital installations against acts of  vandalisation and sabotage,”he said.

    Adelabu noted that the success of governments initiatives hinges on collective responsibility.

    He also called on the management of the Power Company and all stakeholders in the power sector to work with  determination to ensure that the timelines set for projects delivery are  achieved.

    “Together, we will embark on a journey towards a brighter future for Nigeria, one powered by innovation, resilience and collective determination”, he said.

    Earlier in his remarks, Mr Kenny Anuwe,  Managing Director of FGN Power Company said, ” as Nigeria continues its journey towards energy sufficiency and economic prosperity, initiatives like the PPI.

    According to him, this underscores President Tinubu’s unwavering determination to deliver adequate electricity towards unlocking Nigeria’s  full economic potentials.

    Anuwe assured  of FGN Power Company’s  commitment in driving progress and delivering tangible improvements in  electricity access for all Nigerians in this transformative era in  Nigeria’s power Sector.

    Tunji said that FGN Power was established by the Presidency as a special purpose vehicle (SPV), tasked with implementing the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) with Siemens serving as the technical partner.

  • How to tackle incessant national grid collapse – Peter Obi

    How to tackle incessant national grid collapse – Peter Obi

    Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has advised the Federal Government to constitute a technical task force of professionals to address reoccurring national grid collapse.

    Peter Obi made this known in a statement released by his spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko on Wednesday in Onitsha.

    “I suggest that the federal government immediately constitute a technical task force of real professionals without political consideration to present a diagnosis of the crisis of the sector.

    “They will get to work to correct such simple slippage like incessant fire outbreaks that lead to perennial system collapse, drastically improve coordination and coherence between Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and distribution companies (DisCos).

    “There will be no load rejection, and breath down on all operators to deliver on their technical responsibilities.

    “This will rapidly improve power availability in the short term while the government develop clarity to articulate an integrated national electricity policy and a practical implementation roadmap that harmonises national and sub-national electricity reform,” he said.

  • TCN deploys technology to address incessant national grid collapse

    TCN deploys technology to address incessant national grid collapse

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has deployed a Generation Dip/Loss Detection System (GLDS) which detects and responds to sudden drops or dips in power generation.

    Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that the deployment of the GLDs was part of the company’s efforts to enhance grid management.

    “As TCN continues to make efforts to enhance grid management, its engineers have recently deployed the GLDS which plays a pivotal role in detecting and responding to sudden drops or dips in power generation across the network.

    “This innovation stands as a testament to TCN’s commitment to advancing grid management capabilities.

    “Designed to empower the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, GLDS provides grid controllers in NCC with advanced tools for real-time monitoring and analysis of grid performance, ’’she said.

    Mbah said that the GLDS intuitive interface allows for the setting of parameters, continuous monitoring of power generating stations, and comprehensive reporting functionalities, enabling swift responses to grid disturbances.

    She said that the GLDS incorporates sophisticated data analytics and machine learning processes to analyse real-time data and identify patterns associated with sudden generation loss.

    “By leveraging anomaly detection techniques, GLDS can promptly alert grid controllers on deviations from normal grid behaviour, facilitating proactive intervention to prevent widespread disruptions.

    “TCN ensures seamless communication between GLDS and Internet of Things (IoT) cloud servers, enabling more rapid response and coordination of mitigation strategies.

    “This connectivity underscores TCN’s commitment to enhancing grid resilience and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of electricity to consumers across the country,” she said.

    Mbah said that previously, TCN engineers had developed an in-house design that leverages IOT technology as an innovative solution in response to the challenge of limited visibility of power generators.

    According to her, the IOT devices, which were strategically deployed across power stations and some substations, facilitate the collection of near real-time data, including power generation levels and grid performance metrics.

    “The IOT enabled the expansion of visibility of power generating stations from 6 to 27, this has helped TCN significantly improve its ability to monitor grid load and identify potential issues before they escalate.

    “Recently, the IOT device was also used to capture generation from Taopex GS and Zungeru Hydro Power Stations, bringing the total number of power stations visible to the national grid to 29.

    “GLDS and the IOT represent a significant step forward in bolstering grid stability and reliability,” she said.

    Mbah said that these initiatives would empower TCN’s grid controllers with the insights needed to proactively address challenges and minimise disruptions.

    “As well as demonstrates TCN’s dedication to meeting the evolving demands Of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI)’’ she said.

  • TCN opens up on national grid collapse

    TCN opens up on national grid collapse

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the national grid has been fully restored after Monday’s fire incident at the Afam power generating station in Rivers.

    TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, stated in Abuja that the fire caused a partial disturbance of the grid.

    “At about 2:41a.m., fire erupted at the Afam V 330kv bus bar coupler leading to the tripping of two units, Afam III and Afam VI.

    “This resulted in a sudden generation loss of 25mw and 305mw respectively at the two units; destabilising the grid and causing a partial collapse.

    “The affected section of the grid has been fully restored and stabilised,’’ she stated.

    She explained that during the incident, the Ibom Power plant was isolated from the national grid and it supplied power to parts of Port Harcourt region, thereby minimising the effect of the system disturbance.

    “TCN reaffirms its commitment to enhance the resilience and reliability of the national grid and pledges to continue investing in measures to strengthen the grid infrastructure,’’ Mbah assured.

  • BREAKING: National Grid collapses again

    BREAKING: National Grid collapses again

    The National Grid, being operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has suffered yet another collapse, throwing the entire country into total darkness.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this will be the 5th time the National Grid will collapse in 2024 under Adebayo Adelabu as the Minister of Power.

    This is coming barely a week after the controversial review of Band A electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    According to data obtained from www.niggrid.org, the Nigerian System Operator’s portal, as reported by Business Day, the grid collapsed at about 2:00 am.

    The grid recorded an unprecedented zero Megawatts (MW) at the time and is currently generating a meagre 52.3MW around 7:10 am today.

    The consequences of this blackout were felt nationwide, as electricity distribution companies (DisCos) struggled to cope with the sudden and prolonged outage.

    Many parts of the country have been plunged into darkness for over five hours as the grid is yet to come into full recovery.

    This collapse marks the fifth grid disturbance in 2024, adding to challenges that have long plagued Nigeria’s power sector.

    In a year already marred by disruptions, this latest incident stands out as the most severe, exacerbating the ongoing struggles consumers and industry stakeholders face.

    Despite the widespread impact of the blackout, neither the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) nor the DisCos have yet to issue an official statement regarding the cause and resolution of the crisis.

    As of the time this report was filed, the TCN had not stated to confirm the occurrence, leaving the public and stakeholders in the dark about the source and resolution of the newest crisis.

  • NDDC connects Ondo South Senatorial District to national grid

    NDDC connects Ondo South Senatorial District to national grid

    The Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to inaugurate a 132/33KV electricity substation in Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa in order to end the 15 years of blackout in Ondo South Senatorial District.

    The over 2,000 communities in the five local government are expected to be lit up when the substation is inaugurated later in April

    Speaking after inspection of the project on Saturday, Sir Victor Antai, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, said that the completed electricity sub-station was already connected to the national grid.

    He described the power station as a legacy project that would boost economic activities in Ondo State and improve the living standards of the benefitting communities.

    Antai stressed that the NDDC was committed to providing electricity to the oil-producing communities that had been without electricity for the past 15 years.

    He said that the sub-station will be inaugurated ĺater this month.

    “The power sub-station is a legacy project which is in line with the directive of our Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to see to the completion and commissioning of legacy projects that will make meaningful impact on the lives of our people.

    “The MD/CEO has also directed that we replicate this legacy project across all states in the Niger Delta, and we thank the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the NDDC a performing Governing Board that has the interest of the people at heart.

    “We are committed to lighting up all the local government areas and the oil-producing communities in Ondo South Senatorial District.

    “This is part of NDDC’s mandate to provide infrastructure and development projects in the Niger Delta region. The Commission is committed to fulfilling this mandate by completing all on-going projects,” he said.

    Antai stated that the power sub-station would provide electricity to over 2,000 communities across the five local government areas within the oil-producing region of Ondo State, significantly impacting lives by ending decades of darkness.

    The Executive Director, Projects noted that the NDDC had also awarded contract for the total rehabilitation of the distribution network because it was eager to hook up the power lines to the injection sub-station and enable the benefiting communities to enjoy electricity from the national grid.

    Mr Benson Obayelu, who spoke for the contracting firm, said that the scope of the power project covered the evacuation of light from Omotosho Power Station with a step down at Ode-Erinje, Okitipupa, through a 132KV double circuit transmission line with two 30/40MVA transformers.

    According to him, the transmission lines run through Ireje with 145 electricity towers that are standing on concrete foundations.

    He observed that five local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district of Ondo State that have been without public power supply would be connected when the project was inaugurated.

    In his remarks, Dr Obafemi Ogbaro, Acting National Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, said that nothing mattered more to the people in Ondo South Senatorial District than being connected to the national grid

    Also, the Ondo State Representative on the NDDC Board, Mr Otito Atikase, observed that several communities across the five local government areas in the oil production belt of Ondo State were eagerly waiting for the lights to be turned on in their localities.

    He said that access to electricity was essential for economic development and improving the quality of life of the people.

    Atikase said that lack of electricity had hindered growth and development in many communities in the Niger Delta region.

    “NDDC’s efforts to provide electricity to these communities will have a significant impact on their lives and contribute to the overall development of the region,” he said.

  • CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why the national grid collapses frequently

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why the national grid collapses frequently

    CARTOON OF THE DAY: Why the national grid collapse frequently