Oscarline Onwuemenyi
12 January 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Federal government has said it would soon introduce a new policy, targeted at expanding electricity distribution in the nation.
In a statement made available to reporters in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola disclosed that there was a great need to increase the distribution of power nationwide.
He stated that the nation was blessed with additional 2,000 megawatts (MW) which cannot be distributed.
Fashola said, “I wish to use this opportunity to call out to manufacturers to let us know where they are, how much power they need, and how we can connect you because we have 2,000 MW of undistributed power.”
He disclosed that his ministry was working harder to provide adequate power to Nigerians, adding that prepaid metres will also be provided to reduce the incidents of estimated billing.
“In the first few days of the new year we suffered a setback to our power supply which was caused by damage to the gas supply network around Okada.
“First, I want to repeat that gas is the fuel that most of the generation companies use to produce electricity and all of us have a stake in ensuring that they are not damaged.”
Fashola had, earlier at the 23rd monthly power sector operators’ meeting held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, itemized significant improvements in power generation and transmission, noting that the current All Progressives Congress (APC) led government had generated 4,000 megawatts of electricity in the last two and half years.
He explained that the transmission capacity grew from 5,000mw to 6,900mw.
According to Fashola, power generation grew from 3000mw in 2015 to 7000mw in 2017.
He said, “l will like to start this my remarks by highlighting the progress and milestones on our journey for incremental power, which reassure us that we are on the right path and inspire us to continue with more belief.”
“Similarly, the peak distribution which was around 2,690MW in 2015 is now averaging 5,000MW in 2017. These achievements to a large extent be can be attributed to the Power Sector Reform Program (PSRP).
“The PSRP has yielded many tangible rewards in the up-stream (power generation) of the power sector.”
Speaking on the achieved milestones, the minister mentioned the improvements in generation, transmission and distribution and also acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) in achieving this feat.
He said, “Generated power has gone up to 7000mw in 2017 from 3,000mw in May 2015; transmission capacity at 6,900mw in 2017 from about 5,000mw in May 2015; and peak distribution now averaging 5,000mw in 2017 from 2,690mw in 2015.
“In the last three months, we have increased the supply of power in the dry weather and people’s experience with power was better. We must thank the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for the increase in gas supply.”
