FG gives reason for poor power supply

Abuja – The Federal Government has said the low water levels in the hydro dams is to blame for the poor power supply in the country.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, explained that the dry season has resulted in the reduction of hydro capacity of the dams.

Aliyu, who featured at the briefing session organised by the Presidential Media Team on Thursday in Abuja, said, “I would like to discuss the increased load shedding.

You may have observed in Abuja and other areas in the country.

With the reduction in hydro capacity during the dry season, additional loads need to be taken up by our gas plants,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that the ongoing maintenance work on some power plants around the country also contributed to the reduced power supply.

“We are having maintenance work in the eastern axis around Odukpani, leading to reduced power supply from the usually reliable NDPHC Calabar power plant, and we are having challenges at Okoloma gas station linked to AFAM 6 power plant,” he said.

“We are working with NNPC and other gas suppliers also to improve the pressure on the western axis and that is precluding this unit from reaching optimum supply.

These challenges are surmountable.” The power minister also disclosed that Nigeria currently generates 8,000 megawatts of electricity, contrary to claims that its generation capacity has been stagnant at 4,000 megawatts.

He said much of the success stories in the power sector has been due to the support from the presidency, through the central bank.

Aliyu noted that the current megawatts were generated through a combination of grid, embedded and industrial captive supply of electricity.

He also disclosed that an additional $4 billion has been secured by the government to boost power supplies.

The minister said President Buhari is firm on his stance that all Nigerians must be metered.

He said that currently, one million metres have been rolled out under the first phase and accelerated procurement is ongoing for the second phase of 4 million metres with critical focus on local manufacturers to provide jobs through the programme.