Posted by By DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja on
The Federal Government has said that power generation and distribution in the country would be boosted by end of 2011 as it has mapped out immediate solution plan that could generate about 10,000 mega watts of electricity through its hydro sources and gas supply to surpass the targeted 4,000 mega watts by December 2008.
•Targets 10,000 mwtts by end of Dec 2011
The Federal Government has said that power generation and distribution in the country would be boosted by end of 2011 as it has mapped out immediate solution plan that could generate about 10,000 mega watts of electricity through its hydro sources and gas supply to surpass the targeted 4,000 mega watts by December 2008.
It disclosed that over N209.722 billion has been earmarked to achieve the project by the end of 2010. The amount is however less than what could be spent to generate power between the end of this year and 2009. The figure for the next two years is put at N731, 872 and N477, 804 respectively.
Government has also announced that as its short-term strategic plan to end the power crises, it will embark on massive rehabilitation of all power plants across the country, complete priority Nigeria Independent Power Projects (NIPP) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN) projects as well as resolve gas supply issues, including quality and control.
Briefing journalists on the progress so far attained by government, Minister of Power in the Ministry of Energy, Mrs. Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim, however, lamented lack of spinning reserve, over reliance on natural gas, long lead time for spare parts and poor operational management, among other factors as findings by the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Expansion of Electricity Infrastructure, Ministerial Task Force on Generation, Transmission and Distribution and other government committees as been responsible for the power crises.
According to the minister, government has also expanded its scope in efforts to find solution to the problem by embarking on Renewable Energy Action Plan, including Wind Power which, she disclosed, would generate about 10 mega watts from its Wind Farm development that would commence at the end of the year.
On the declaration of state of emergency in the sector as canvassed by President Umaru Yar Adua Mrs. Ibrahim assured that government has concluded plans to do so in order to give a clear focus of the administration to the commitment to end power crises.