The Nation Newspaper

Category: Energy

  • National Assembly praises Schneider’s power initiatives

    The National Assembly has praised Schneider Electric for its efforts towards developing sustainable manpower for the power sector.

    The commendation came during the legislators’ tour of Schneider Electric’s Isaac Boro Energy Training College, at Grenoble, France. The visit was organised by the National Assembly to enable members to assess students being trained at the centre.

    On the trip were Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator James Manager and his House of Representatives counterpart, Warman Ogoriba.

    Others include  Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty programme, Kingsley Kuku and  President/Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Electric English West Africa, Marcel Hochet.

    Manager and Ogoriba praised the firm for the quality of training received by the students, describing it as a huge contribution to fast-tracki the development of the sector.

    Manager said: “We are very happy and extremely confident with what we have seen here today. Schneider Electric has taken three unique firsts in the history of the programme. They are the only company to name a training center after a Niger Delta icon. They have committed to employ 15 of the students immediately and have also committed to assist in placing the rest with their strong network of partners.”

    In his welcome address, Hochet said: “Schneider Electric is committed to providing a sustainable developmental platform as evidenced in various initiatives with the Federal Government, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and LECAN. We are happy to receive honourable members of the National Assembly to our training center and to showcase our innovative solutions which are visible in our operations.”

  • IPMAN to build refineries in Bayelsa, Kogi

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is to  build two ultra-modern refineries  in Bayelsa and Kogi states for about $3 billion to increase the volume of refined products internally.

    Its National President, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, said in Lagos that the ground-breaking  would be performed before the end of this year, adding that the  project will be carried out in collaboration with foreign investors.

    He said: “We are proposing to build two refineries in Nigeria – one in Bayelsa and Kogi states  to eliminate fuel scarcity, which is part of the agenda of the present administration. We are in discussion with our foreign investors. The discussion is ongoing and we are reaching agreement, which hopefully will be sealed before the end of July, while the ground-breaking is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of the year.

    “When the proposed refineries come on stream, they will go a long way in ensuring availability of petroleum products to IPMAN members, and ease scarcity in the country. We will ensure that the products get to all nooks and crannies of the country. Besides, the two refineries will help grow the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country because the capital flight on importation of products will reduce drastically,” he said.

    He explained that what the country spends in exporting its crude overseas for refining and the associated cost of importing the refined product, would be drastically reduced when both refineries come on stream. Expectedly, he said the refineries will also create jobs, where lots of Nigerian youths will be gainfully employed, and this will also reduce incessant kidnapping in the country.

    Okoronkwo said the association is also working with the  Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Products and Pipeline Marketing Company PPMC) to ensure products availability.

    He said  contrary to rumours, the association’s account was not frozen. “We are ready to commence the project and we hope to make it work because we are also involving our money. We are going on with our legitimate work and no account of the association was frozen.”

    He commended the efforts of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Managing Director of PPMC, Prince Haruna Momoh, for their commitments to ensuring effective distribution of petroleum products to all the depots across the country.

    He said the commercial arm of IPMAN, NIPCO, is doing well, but that it would do better when the proposed refineries come on stream because it will ensure steady product availability.

    He enjoined Nigerians to move beyond the use of kerosene and switch over to gas so that the gas that is being flared could be harnessed and used. Kerosene should be used for aviation and other purposes. That is what we are doing right now, he said.

    He added: “We want to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of using gas. Government should also ensure passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to attract investors to open up the industry.”

  • Ikeja Disco shuts substation over attacks

    Ikeja Disco shuts substation over attacks

    The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has shut its injection substation in Mafoluku, a Lagos suburb, over frequent attacks on its workers and equipment.

    Its Assistant General Manager (AGM), Public Affairs, Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, said despite inadequate supply from the grid, the firm still ensures that its customers get electricity. But some people who do not appreciate the firm’s services assault workers on duty and damage its facilities, Adeyanju added.

    He said: “The management of IKEDC hereby notes with dismay that while it continues to enjoy the support of most customers in its quest for improved power supply, in spite of considerable shortfall in the power allocation from the grid, certain groups in some communities have persisted in carrying out assaults on IKEDC staff and malicious damage to company’s equipment and installations.

    “Consequently, the management has taken a painful but inevitable decision to temporarily shut the Mafoluku Injection Substation to protect the lives of staff and safeguard the ultra-modern equipment in the station from vandalism by some residents of Mafoluku, who besieged the station under the guise of protest.

    “IKEDC in a bid to forge robust partnerships and address specific needs has held series of meetings with the communities within its network. The company has also introduced an interactive contact centre that is equipped to handle customer queries through its e-mail portal: customercare@ikedc.com and dedicated telephone lines: 0700-2255-45332 and 0800-2255-45332 (with options to speak to the call executives in English, Pidgin, Ibo and Hausa).

    ‘’It is on record that the company had severally engaged various representatives of the Mafoluku Community on improved service delivery.”

    He explained that IKEDC  Mafoluku Community Residents Association met on January 25; it held a meeting with the Oshodi Youth Alliance on February 8; a Customer Forum on  March 22, in which the Community Development Associations (CDAs) of the area were in attendance, and influential Mafoluku leaders at a meeting between IKEDC and the Community Development Committee (CDC) on June 5, the two groups discussed issues of recurring inadequate power supply and estimated billings.

    In response to these issues, the company he said constructed two additional 11kv feeders from the Mafoluku Injection Substation to relieve overloaded ones and this improved power supply to the community, achieved maintenance of the 11kv overhead lines to remove undersized conductors and replaced bad high and low tension poles. Besides, management has embarked on continuous adjustments of proven cases of over-billing, he added.

    “It is important to mention that the issue of low power supply to the community is as a result of inadequate power from the grid. IKEDC gets an average of 35 per cent to 40 per cent of its maximum demand on daily basis from the grid.

    “We have remained resolute in our commitment to ensure equitable distribution of this low allocation to all our customers at all times, including the Mafoluku community. We strongly condemn the assaults on the company’s staff and malicious damage to its property. Such acts run contrary to the law and relevant security agencies have been called in to ensure prosecution of defaulters.

    “The management appeals for the understanding of well-meaning customers in the area, as the station will remain shut until the community can guarantee the safety of the lives of staff and the multi-million naira investments that have been made to drive improved power supply,” Adeyanju added.

  • Egbin host community protests blackout

    The people of Ijede Local Community Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos have protested not having light despite being the host of Egbin power station.

    The community has over the years suffered poor electricity supply.

    The protest, which started peacefully from the Oba of Ijede’s palace to the power station gate, almost turned violent when two military men guarding the plant, started shooting into the air to disperse the protesters. But the presence of the Ijede Divisional Police Officer saved the day.

    The Ijede Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Rotimi Ayoku-Owolawi, said the the protest was to draw attention to their plight.  He said:    “In the last few years, due to population explosion, our electricity needs increased in geometric progression without concomitant power infrastructural improvement.”

    Upon investigation, he said, it was discovered that the Federal Government awarded a contract for the construction of a 15KVA injection substation at Oke-Elutu, Ijede and also a 100 MVA transmission transformer at Egbin.

    Ayoku-Owolawi said it was expected that on completion, the Ijede LCDA, and parts of other four local governments in Ikorodu would enjoy uninterrupted power supply. He lamented that years later, the reverse is the case.

    “As responsible leaders, we made several efforts in writings and other fora to express our grievances, taking due cognisance of the consumer protection laws as enacted, to put our position across, but alas, we were not given audience,” adding that the  community resolved to express its grievance through the medium.

    He said although Egbin power station is a generating station, they have made various demands to the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company {IKEDC} to help commission the 15KVA injection substation and 100MVA transformer, which though completed, is yet to be connected to  the network.

    He noted that they were using the protest to implore the IKEDC/NIPP to intervene and set all machinery in motion to energise and inaugurate the substation in four weeks.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Station,  Mike Uzoigwe, who took the (CDC) chairman and members and as well as reporters on inspection of the 15KVA injection substation and the 100MVA transformer, assuring that work was in progress and that  the projects would be inaugurated soon.

    He said the blame for the delay of the project should go to past governments for not providing proper infrastructure. He promised the Ijede people that he would ensure that soon, they  would enjoy constant power supply and that all the projects would be completed.

  • NLNG finds bigger market in Japan

    NLNG finds bigger market in Japan

    •‘U.S.’ exit won’t affect our business’

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has found a bigger market in Japan, after the United States (US) stopped patronising it. The US stopped buying gas from Nigeria following its discovery and production of shale gas.

    NLNG Managing Director Babs Omotowa said in Lagos during the company’s presentation of its 2014 facts and figures that the US accounted for 35 per cent of its market. But that doesn’t exist because of shale oil, he said, adding that NLNG has found even a bigger market in the Far East. “Japan is our largest market now,” he said.

    He explained that the loss of the US market would not affect NLNG’s operations and sales because the supply contracts are long term, which will last for over 20 years. NLNG, he said, is also exploring other markets depending on availability of gas.

    The NLNG chief said the  Train 7 project is on course, explaining that the delay in the construction of the train is caused by gas supply. According to him, the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and funding are some of the challenges affecting the gas suppliers of the project. He however noted that the pre-final investment decision (FID) processes are being concluded.

    He noted that the NLNG accounts for seven per cent of global LNG supplies and expects to increase to 10 per cent when Train seven comes on stream.

    The company is rated the fastest growing LNG project in the world and operates six trains which produce 22 million metric tons of LNG yearly, adding that this will grow to 30 million metric tons with Train 7 in operation.

    Omotowa said NLNG contributes four per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that this may change if the rebased-GDP is considered.

    On other contributions to the economy, he said: “Since inception, we have shipped 3000 LNG cargoes to customers globally, which is over four trillion cubic feet of associated gas that ordinarily would have been flared. With this, we have reduced gas flaring by upstream companies from over 60 per cent to 11 per cent.

    “The company pays corporate income tax of over N200 billion per annum, Rivers State Government earns over N6 billion per annum from personal income taxes, and Bonny Local Government earns over N88 million yearly as tenement rate, among others.

    Omotowa said Nigeria LNG has paid over $27billion dividend to the shareholders of the company since inception, adding that Nigerians have earned $50 billion from the company since inception.

  • NPDC and enhanced local participation in oil output

    NPDC and enhanced local participation in oil output

    Antagonising Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke on the basis of decisions that were made in good faith could only discourage future ministers from making hard decisions where necessary to deal with challenges in the oil and gas sector. GODWIN ANAUGHE writes

    It is true that when progress comes, there is propensity by those who are afraid of change to challenge it. For the past four years that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been at the helm of affairs her goal has been to make the oil and gas sector more accessible to local indigenous players. Her work has been plagued with stories which whether real or imagined have not been fully investigated nor do they hold neither facts nor truth.

    This is the price she is paying for daring to remain at the helm of the most important sector of the Nigerian economy and threading in an all men industry and still has the guts to stand tall despite the negative publications against her. And who is to blame if not she, for failing to fight back forcefully enough. The good news, however, is that the criticism has never dissuaded her from doing what she believes is right for our country.

    We do not always have to criticise government officials simply because we do not understand the workings of government. Alison-Madueke, a holder of the MBA of Cambridge University is not all knowing and never will be, but her record shows that she knows what she is doing at the petroleum ministry and her desire to see that the Nigeria oil sector develops to its maximum capacity is not in any doubt. It is this desire that has driven her to adopt several creative previously utilised ways to bridge the existing funding gap in the industry which hitherto has prevented the NNPC from meeting its cash call obligations when due.

    One such financing arrangement is the Strategic Alliance Agreement (SSA), which has made it possible for the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to undertake investment in very critical projects in the oil and gas sector.  Similar to Financial and Production Sharing Agreements (FPSA) and Petroleum Sharing contracts (PSC), the SSA has enabled NPDC to develop oil and gas fields which ordinarily it could not have funded from its limited resources or carried all the risks solely. These agreements are based on tested financial models used by international oil companies to help NPDC fund its cash call obligations.

    Without the SSA, many oil and gas fields would not have been explored, developed and produced because NPDC would be unable to meet the cash call obligations in these partnerships with its partners, and as such many vital projects of NPDC would have suffered thereby undermining the Nigerian economy. This is definitely what Nigerians who are not conversant with the oil industry do not know. They also do not know that SSA with NPDC has been entered into with indigenous companies to empower the local companies (under the same terms and conditions like that undertaken with the international oil companies and NNPC). This kind of effort should be lauded, as it is the minister’s goal to develop indigenous companies.

    The SSA is not new in the petroleum and gas industry, as many countries have used this financing instrument to grow their operations. State oil companies such as Petrobas of Brazil, Petronas of Malaysia and Sonangol of Angola have aggressively used these innovative financing arrangements to the benefit of their countries. NPDC cannot be different if we are to remain competitive in the global market.

    The criticism of Mrs Alison-Madueke who, in good faith, has made audacious steps to reposition the oil and gas industry through the adoption of innovative financing instruments to the benefit of the nation are uncalled for.  She deserves commendation and not condemnation.

    We are all aware that the international oil companies have always complained that NNPC is not able to meet its cash call obligations. Therefore to suggest that the SSA be rolled back is to say the least unwise and unpatriotic. It will amount to throwing away the baby with the bath water when the gains of SSA are about to be consolidated. Agreed that flaws may abound in the agreement, but they cannot and should not be blamed on the executive, which has used these already established instruments to ensure the smooth operation of NPDC. Neither can they be attributed to the minister or the government. These flaws manifest at the operational level and whatever challenges that exist in the execution of those agreements, be they legal, commercial or operational, should be handled at the operational level. It is at that level that issues such as those arising from the commercial agreement entered into by NPDC and Atlantic Energy Concepts Limited should be resolved.

    Antagonising Alison-Madueke on the basis of decisions that were made in good faith could only discourage future ministers from making hard decisions where necessary to deal with challenges in the oil and gas sector. Without doubt, Mrs Alison-Madueke is a strong character who is not easily distracted but she needs our support so she can remain focused on the restructuring of the oil and gas industry and most especially the passing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that will help stimulate investment in the oil and gas sector.

    The focus, therefore, should be on the PIB which has been held down by the cabal that is fighting the minister. Just as the FOIA was fought and won and the National Health Bill almost sailing through, pressure should be mounted on the National Assembly to pass the PIB. Or are we all forgetting the expected benefits of the PIB to the common man who we all claim to fight for? Fight for PIB and not fight the minister who may out of fear of criticism stop any fresh innovative ideas being brought to the ministry, an act which has rendered some of the sectors of the economy impotent.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke has achieved so much for the oil and gas sector and made many bold decisions since she arrived at the ministry. Let us not forget that under the watch of this able woman, Nigeria increased its daily oil production, eliminated petroleum products scarcity in our nation and restored peace to the Niger Delta. A bigger plus is that NPDC which for years under previous administrations boasted a production output of less than 5,000 barrels per day (bpd), today produces well in excess of 50,000bpd all because of the SSA as well as the operatorship of several oil blocks that were transferred to the NNPC subsidiary.

    The audacious steps she also took led to the Gas Masterplan revolution implementation of Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act, as well as implementation of the National Gas Supply and Pricing Policy. That NPDC has grown into a medium scale exploration and production company from its small sized era is her feat, just as under her leadership, there has been an increase in the contribution of Nigerian companies to oil production output. What more can we say?

    Rather than join in the bandwagon to pull her down, Nigerians should stick with her and encourage her to continue with the work she is doing for the country.

     

    •Anaughe, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos

  • Bulbs recycling plant coming, as Go Green, AIP sign pact

    Bulbs recycling plant coming, as Go Green, AIP sign pact

    The first-ever compact fluorescent lamps recycling plant in Nigeria and West Africa is to be installed by Go Green Nigeria Light Up Nigeria and its partner, the American bulb giant, TCP (Technical Consumer Products).

    The National Coordinator, Go Green Nigeria Light Up Nigeria, Dr Wale Akande, said the recycling plant has been released for the country by Technical Consumer Products, adding that the plant will ensure that end-of-life and waste bulbs will no longer litter the Nigerian environment.

    Akande spoke in Abuja, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Go Green Nigeria and the Association of Illumination Professionals (AIP).

    Akande said Go Green Nigeria was the partner of TCP, and the recycling plant shall take care of the environmental impact of the energy conservation project, which it is implementing in Nigeria and West Africa. The project  involves the distribution of 100 million energy-efficient lamps to Nigerians.

    The MoU signing between the two organisations took place at the headquarters of the Association of Nigerian Professionals, Mabushi, Abuja. The epoch-making event, Akande said, is the first for both parties and also AIP’s first MoU with a private sector group.

    Akande said that Go Green Nigeria sprang out of a research based concept, designed to complement the Federal Government’s effort at ensuring sustainable electricity in Nigeria by providing a platform for individuals, families, communities, corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and governments at all levels to take action at achieving the goal of power sector reform.

    He said: “We are so excited about the progress to be made by this MoU, which shall ensure that the Go Green Nigeria goals are achieved. This is why we are happy to be working with the Association of Illumination Professionals, a body of true professionals in the sector, who love to contribute to nation building with their technical savvy.

    “The Go Green Nigeria project seeks to distribute 100 million energy efficient bulbs throughout the nation over a period of four years so as to catalyse power conservation and energy efficiency culture. “Through this, we hope to achieve stable electricity, poverty eradication, employment opportunity and job creation, improved security and mitigating the effects of climate change.”

    The President of AIP, Ajadi Y. A. Abdulwahab, an engineer, said Nigeria needed a regulatory framework to enable professionalism in the lighting sub-sector. He said: “Most of the citizens misunderstood the issue of light. When you say lighting, they think only of electricity, without knowing that it goes beyond that. The truth is that even when there is no electricity, there is light and lighting. For example, there is day lighting, and our task as professionals is to utilise them effectively for national development.

    “We are happy to associate with Go Green Nigeria Light Up Nigeria. The organisation is focused and is set to help the Nigerian power sector through energy efficiency and conservation. This is the first MoU we are signing with any of such private sector based body.”

    Go Green also plans to sign more MoUs with federal, state and professional bodies such as National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (Energy Commission of Nigeria), and the Lagos State Waste Managment Authority (LAWMA), among others, before it  fully commences operation.

    AIP is a non-profit membership society whose objective is to provide an interactive forum for all lighting professionals and transform their knowledge into actions to benefit the public. Members include lighting engineers, designers, consultants, lighting equipment manufacturers, sales professionals, electrical contractors, architects, researchers and academics.

  • Ilaje oil community bickers over appointment

    The two major non-profit groups in Ilaje, the oil producing area of Ondo State, the Ilaje O ni Baje and the Front-Liners, have taken divergent positions on the petition for the withdrawal and dissolution of the newly-constituted executive committee that would represent the various communities in the area.

    The Nation learnt that following the expiration of the tenure of the previous executive last year, though dissolved in January this year, new executive committee were constituted and inaugurated.

    It was learnt that the process of selecting the current executive committee members started in November last year and was concluded in April.

    However, members of Front-Liners were not satisfied with committee’s selection and constitution. The group in a letter to  Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chevron Nigeria Limited and Express Sheba – the oil firms operating in the area, expressed their displeasure, saying the process  that led to the emergence of the new executive committee members, was unacceptable. They want the list to be disregarded as the process of selection was undemocratic and didn’t follow due process.

    In the letter, the Front-Liners, accused the Ulogbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, who also is the chairman of Obat Oil, of conniving with OSOPADEC to undemocratically handpick, constitute and inaugurate the executive committees of AICECUM communities, Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) and Express Shebah Host Communities Association, a responsibility they said was meant for the producing oil communities.

    The National Coordinator, Ilaje O ni Baje, Pastor Ola Judah, the Deputy National Coordinator, Rev. Omotayo Adebanjo and the Secretary, Isaac Eduwa, who spoke to The Nation on the issue, explained that based on their findings, due process was followed in the nomination and inauguration of members of the executive committees. Documents  made available to The Nation showed all the processes from nominations to inauguration.

    The group dissociated itself from being party to the petition, disrespect and aspersions cast on the person of the Olugbo and other monarchs by the Front-Liners.

    Pastor Ola Judah said that the executives of Ilaje O ni Baje’s were allegedly said to be part of petition. He denied that and said that the group’s primary goal is to see that all the pressure groups in the oil rich Ilaje fight for the unity and development of the area.

    He said that despite being an oil producing area, Ilaje remains the most undeveloped part of the state because of in-fighting and disagreement between the Ilaje communities, the opinion leaders, a situation that has made the area remain without electricity and potable water supply over the years.

    Rev. Omotayo Adebanjo said the common adage in Yoruba land is that the Ilajes don’t have a common front, which is a development they want to address because the in-fighting has not helped anybody over the years rather it has stalled development.

    One of the Front-Liners’ accusations was that Olugbo appointed the chairman and vice chairman of AICECUM, Mr Kunle Alli and Mr. Odudu Igbambe respectively, both from core oil producing communities, which is against the stipulated rule.

    But explaining reason for that, Judah said the oil communities were divided into seven groups for easy coordination and governance. The seven groups has an acronym, which is AICECUM and stands for: Actual, Indigenous, Concessional, Eight United, Core, Ultimate and Major. (Actual has five communities, Indigenous-five communities, Concessional-nine communities, Eight United-eight communities, Core-seven communities, Ultimate-nine communities and Major-seven communities.

    Judah said in view of the efforts and contributions of Mr. Odudu Igbambe  in development activities of the area both in money and  time, the monarch appealed that he be compensated with the position of vice chairman of AICECUM, a request that was granted by all but coincidentally the nominated AICECUM chairman and Igbambe come from  Core.

    It was in view of this development that the Front-Liners are demanding that the monarchs should keep away from the composition of community executives, while Chevron and Express Shebah should disregard the list and OSOPADEC should withdraw the list as a matter of urgency.

  • We are tackling load-shedding, says IKEDC chief

    The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has said it is addressing the problem of load-shedding being experienced by customers in some areas under its network.

    Its Managing Director Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Ajifowobaje, disclosed this during a meeting with the Community Development Committees (CDC) within the distribution company in Lagos.

    The committee members represent the company’s entire customers, and some of them complained that there was heavy load-shedding in their areas and demanded that the problem be solved quickly. In response to their demands, Ajifowobaje said the company was doing its best to ensure that customers got service and value for their money.

    He said when the new owners of the company took over in November last year, 72 transformers were out of service completely because of thieves and vandals. These developments, he said, accounted for the load-shedding in some areas but assured that the problem would be addressed soon.

    The IKEDC chief also said on taking over the company last year, the new investors hired experts to carry out a study on the network. The study was centred on overall ways to improve supply and service delivery.

    The report of the study, according to Ajifowobaje, has been submitted and is awaiting the board’s approval. He said with the full implementation of the report, estimated billing would be a thing of the past, while supply would also improve significantly.

    He said IKEDC, a few months ago, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Egbin Power Generation Plc to get 1,200 megawatts (MW) directly to ensure stable power supply. He told the committees that IKEDC had 600,000 customers and only 200,000 customers were metered. Out of the metered customers, some use obsolete meters, he said,  adding that the company needs 1,250MW but only gets 300MW for the 600,000 customers.

    Ajifowobaje said the company has drawn a roadmap on metering, which is awaiting the board’s approval. He added that he expects it to be approved before the end of this month. The roadmap’s target is to get every customer metered.

    He appealed for customers’ continued support in safeguarding their meters and ensuring they are not tampered with, noting that the company is working hard to have good customer relations and doing everything possible towards that.

    He said the company was partnering the Federal Government to improve power supply and IKEDC was exploring alternative sources of power supply outside the grid through embedded and captive power generations.

  • Power supply improves as govt targets 5,000 MW

    Power supply improves as govt targets 5,000 MW

    Consumers seem to have good stories to tell about power supply. They say there has been an improvement, indicating that stable power supply is achievable AKINOLA AJIBADE report.

    Six months after the new investors took over the assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), power supply has improved slightly in Lagos, Abuja and a few other cities across the country, The Nation investigation has revealed.

    This is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s plan to improve power generation from 4,500 megawatts (mw) to 5000mw by end of the year.

    In Lagos, consumers in some areas under the Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies (IKEDC) have testified that supply to their areas had improved since April. Also, some, in Arepo, Akute and other distant in Ikeja DISCO and Lekki, said the supply had improved by over five hours daily.

    Power Minister Prof Chinedu Nebo promised that the government would continue to improve its performance, adding that 5000mw generation target would be attained by December.

    He said electricity generation increased by over 40 per cent from 2,500mw in 2011 to 4,500mw this month, and that the government was committed to its mandate.

    He said: “We inherited 2,500MW and we would more than double the figure by the end of this year. That is progress. I do not know how people define progress. As population increases, we would improve electricity supply to both urban and rural areas. This administration has put everything into the power sector to make it work. People are condemning the government, instead of commending it.”

    Nebo said the sector had been neglected by successive administration, which resulted in the decay of power infrastructure, adding that the population was growing without a concomitant growth in electricity infrastructure.

    He said Nigeria needed to produce 160,000mw to level up with South Africa in power supply, noting that it would be difficult to provide that in the light of the challenges in the sector.

    “There is no basis in comparing Nigeria’s power sector with that of South Africa. For Nigeria to be at par with South Africa, we should be generating 160,000mw. If you bring all companies together and make them work 24 hours a day, they cannot give you 160,000mw. Now that the private sector, there has been an increase in interest showed in the sector. There is an influx of investment in the sector. Based on this, we would get to a level where power outrage would be a thing of the past.

    “In Awka, power is stable except for the few minutes the residents experience power outrage. That is the situation in many parts of the country. There is improvement in power generation and distribution across the country in recent times,” Nebo added.

    The Nation investigation showed that power has improved in some parts of the Lagos, including Ikotun, Egbeda, Dopemu, Iyana-Ipaja, Ikeja, Oshodi, Anthony Village and Ejigbo.

    Others are Ebute-Metta, Yaba, and Oyingbo, on Lagos Mainland.

    Also, communities, such as Magboro, Mowe, Arepo, Sango-Ota and others in the Lagos-Ogun area have witnessed improved power supply.

    In Abuja area such as Jabi, Wuse 2, Nyanyan and the Central Business Districts (CBD) have witnessed improvement in power supply. But this could not be said of Gwagwalada, Bwari, Kubwa, Karshi, Kuje, Dobi Angada and other satellite towns where there is still erratic power supply.

    The Executive Director, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (ACMIL), Oluwole Asubiojo, said power has improved relatively in Abuja. He said businesses have also improved in some parts of Abuja, as a result of the energy supply increased.

    He said: “Stable power supply is still a far-fetched issue in Nigeria in spite of privatisation of the sector. It is obvious that power has improved relatively  in Abuja and its environs, however a lot needs to be done to develop the sector to expectation. The generation, distribution and transmission sections still have their own problems.

    A Partner at Usoro & Co, Laidi Munirideen, said improvement in power supply is not what Nigerians are looking for, noting that consumers need more than that from the government since power players a crucial role in the socio-economic development, not only of the people, but the nation as well.

    “It is evident that power has improved, but not to a level Nigerians are looking out for. In Lagos Island, where I work, many firms rely on alternative energy supply. This is because they cannot depend sole on power from the national grid. This means that the country still has a long way to go in the area of power, he added.

    The General Manager, Consumer Services, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Ms Olubukola Ojuronpe, said the power firms and the government were putting in place measures to improve the sector’s growth. She said the firms were not happy that consumers are not accessing power regularly, adding that they are making efforts to improve supply.

    According to her, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)and owners of the 15 powers firms are meeting regularly to find lasting solutions to the problems in the sector.

    The Ministries of Power and Petroleum Resources have formed a synergy to improve gas supply to the thermal stations to ensure constant power generation, she said.