Oscarline Onwuemenyi
19 September 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – More than Two thousand megawatts (MW) of electricity generated and feed into the national grid is not distributed to consumers, according to Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Louis Edozien.
Edozien, who spoke at the opening of the 3rd National Council on Power (NACOP) meeting, in Jos, Plateau State, attributed the situation to inadequate distribution lines and distribution sub-stations.
He said, “The national grid produces about 6,600 megawatts of electricity from the 750,33KV trading points, but less than 4,600 megawatts get distributed to the consumers.
“Most of the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) do not have adequate distribution lines and distribution sub-stations; we have discussed the need to acquire more of these facilities so as to boost supply to customers,” he added.
While noting that more funds were needed to procure more distribution lines, he regretted that the Discos were a bit cash-strapped following most consumers’ inability to pay their electricity tariff.
The official said that the NACOP meeting would feature robust deliberation on the shortage of the distribution lines and other critical issues bordering on how to deliver available power to consumers.
“The gap must be bridged so that electricity generated and transmitted is optimally used to improve power supply,” he said.
He said that customers’ rising debt profile and issues related to tariff would also be addressed.
The meeting, which commenced on Monday, Sept. 18, will be concluded on Sept. 22, with Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, among key speakers.
