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Tag: Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

  • DisCos: Why we must speak for our $1.4b investments – ANED

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) Wednesday told the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that it has the legal backing to speak for the Electricity Distrubution Companies (DisCos) that invested $1.4 billion in the power assets.

    The association in its reaction to the communique that barred them from denigrating the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, noted that it speaks with the legal backing that the other associations in the sector rely on to air their views.

    Read Also:NERC bars DisCos from villifying Fashola

    In a statement by ANED Chief Executive Officer, Azu Obiaya Wednesday, the association said its activities are guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the right of association.

    It said, “The DisCos, with their formation of, and membership of ANED, are exercising this right, no different from similar entities along the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) value chain, such as the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) etc.”

    ANED said it represents the DisCos with a principal mandate of advocacy, to protect the interests of its member companies directly and, indirectly, the incomes of a 22,000-employee workforce.

    The statement state, “The investors who have sunk more than $1.4 billion in the acquisition and operations of the DisCos to date and our customers who seek to enjoy the benefits of the best practices that result from the interaction of our members under the ANED umbrella.”

    NERC had in a communique issued after a meeting with the DisCos on August 27, 2018 said ANED activities were discouraged and that the association should not interfere with policy directives or regulatory pronouncements made by the Minister of Power or the Commission.

    It also barred ANED from making any unwarranted remark against the minister and NERC Commissioners.

    ANED also said its expression or promotion of a viewpoint that is contrary to that of an established regulation or policy should not be construed as ‘interference’, particularly, in the context of the workings of an industry with multiple stakeholder interests.

    The association said there was need to address the widening tariff gap that hinders DisCos from performing their obligations due to freezing of the residential tariffs (R2) in 2015, for 18 months, removal of Collection Losses in 2015; non-implementation of five tariff reviews.

    It also said N435.7 billion of under-recovered revenue, among others are the regulatory responsibilities NERC should focus on.

    ANED further reiterated it’s interested in the urgent reset of the sector, with the implementation of the Power Sector Reform Program (PSRP) to stop the sector from bleeding, drive the investment that is critical for injecting efficiency and provide electricity customers respite from the current difficulties of electricity supply.

  • TCN to DisCos: Copy stable network from Togo, Benin

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has asked Nigerians and the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to take a cue of stable power network from the Republic of Benin and Togo that get 80% of their power supply from the Nigeria.

    Citing how a stable network should be, its Managing Director, Mohammed Gur Usman, said that “the reality is that we need investments in the DisCos. We need to change the distribution network. Some of you may not know. Any of you who has the opportunity of entering Republic of Benin, 80% of the electricity that is consumed in Benin and Togo is coming from Nigeria. ”

    Read Also:Fashola to DisCos: Deliver power or quit

    The Chief Executive Officer, who addressed reporters Monday night in Abuja, said “Go to Benin, you will have a stable power, but why is there no stable power in Nigeria?  Why is it that they have stable power and we don’t have, it is because our distribution network is weak. Go to Togo or just Benin here, and see how a distribution network is supposed to be.”

    He urged Nigerians to pray for investments in the DisCos for them to have stable power supply.

    He revealed that the TCN is working through its functional planning system with several DisCos to build their distribution models for them.

    According to him, the TCN redefined the issue of load rejection since April 2017 when it started referring to the situation as load unutilized.

    He explained that rejection presupposes deliberate intention not to take load but in some cases the unutilised load is not intentional.

    Continuing, he noted that “the DisCos have no capacity , investments have not entered the DisCos,” stressing that the at TCN has upgraded and boosted capacity in several cities such as Apo, Suleja, Keffi, Katampe, but “how many of the injection substations have the DisCos built”, he asked.

    Owing to lack of distribution injection substations, some of the distribution lines are connected directly to TCN transformers, an anomaly, which he claimed to have burnt two transformers in Abuja recently.

    The TCN boss said that “That is why we are begging to the government and whoever wishes to listen to us that investments need to enter the distribution companies…we are actually working with the government to see that the last mile which is now the weakest link in the power value chain, which is distribution, investments enter into that sector.”

    He noted that although the federal government had not shown interest in investing in the distribution, the Ministry of Power recently approved N72billion investment in the DisCos.

    He however noted that in order to improve power stability from the distribution value chain, the Federal Government has mandated the TCN to manage its N72billion investments in the DisCos.

    He noted that as at last week the company recovered 693 containers of transmission equipment out of 800 containers from the port with the support of President Muhammed Buhari and the  Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

    His words: “We have been able to recover 693 containers out of the 800 containers that had been at the port. Some of them have been there for 15 years. Some of them have been auctioned. We have to follow the auctioneers to get it.”

    He disclosed that the TCN has secured €25million from the European Union for the implementation of projects.

    Usman revealed that because the TCN is underfunded the company made a case for extraordinary tariff review presented a case of tariff review to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    The commission, he said, has responded that it would commission a regulatory asset consultant to review TCN asset for a cost reflective tariff.

    He noted that the TCN biggest problem is that of liquidity, which it is waiting for the government to also solve.

    The Managing Director disclosed that the company has commenced the procurement process for 300mw spinning reserves.

  • Fashola to DisCos: Deliver power or quit

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola Monday advised the electricity distribution companies otherwise known as DisCos to compete to deliver power to customers or exit the electricity market for investors that are ready to satisfy consumers.

    He directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to work toward eliminating estimated billings.

    Fashola said supposing he had his way, he would have directed that estimated billing regime terminates immediately, but the local capacity is not enough to bridge the metering gap in the market.

    The minister, who made this disclosure in a press briefing at Abuja, said complaints coming to government about meters, estimated billings and mass disconnections, where not everybody is owing cannot continue.

    Read Also:http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/discos-sell-power-at-shortfall-of-n49-38-per-kilowatt/

    He said that “government must act. DisCos bought these assets with their eyes wide open and they must compete to deliver or exit.”

    Fashola directed NERC to (a) ensure that the DisCos improve on their distribution of equipment and capacity to take up the available 2,000mw in order to optimize the use of electrical resources produced by the GenCos.

    He mandated NERC to “enforce the contracts of the Discos to supply meters, and act to ensure the speedy installation of meters with a view to eliminate estimated billings and promote efficient industry and market structure.

    “to stop the DisCos from preventing entrepreneurs from entering the market to supply the consumers whom the DisCos cannot yet supply and to license such persons subject to terms and conditions in order to promote competition and private sector participation and avoid a private monopoly in the market.”

    He said that it is neither his intention nor that of government to take over the investors’ business, but the government desires to see the firms flourish in a competitive environment.

    Government will however find a solution whenever the DisCos are inefficient and not ready to improve, he said.

    He lamented that even where DisCos installed 10,000, about 8,000 were bypassed within weeks after installation.

    Fashola ruled out the possibility of increasing tariff without adequate provision of meters, noting that metering is a condition precedent to tariff review.

    Expressing his opinion in favour of tariff increase, the minister countered himself on the issue, stressing that “after that tariff increase why should we increase tariff without meters.”

    He said for the customers to pay the correct tariff for the power they consume, the suppliers have to defray the distrust by first providing meters for consumers to know what they are paying for.

    Asked by the directive if his statement that the DisCos should compete or quit is a direct invocation of revocation the privatization to the inefficient private investor, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Louis Edozien explained that the eligible customers regulation is a means of getting the customers who are not satisfied with the service they are getting from the DisCos to buy their power directly from the GenCos. Secondly, that the DisCos should not refuse unsatisfied customers from going to get power.”

    He however noted that upon the realization that they have nothing to lose from the eligible customers’ policy, the distribution firms have started complying with the pitch reluctantly.

    The NERC chairman, Prof. James Momoh, whom the minister asked to inform the public when the Metering Asset Providers licensees would start providing the meters, said that the meter manufacturing companies in Lagos are ready to roll them out.

    As Fashola insisted that the chairman informed Nigerians on when the installation would begin, he mandated Momoh to after the briefing present to him, a report on the number of licensed companies for meter provision, the DisCos they are working with and the areas they are supplying meters to.

    Momoh said that over 50 firms have been licensed to supply meters.

    The minister, who asked the Permanent Secretary to take note of the directive, said that the customers should know when meters are delivered to their areas for them to make relevant arrangements.

    On billing, Momoh said, NERC has put together a prepaid market for which customers can decide which power they want to use and for the appropriate rate to be paid for.”

    He added that that with the investment in metering NERC will be able to eliminate estimated billings for people to pay their appropriate cost. The commission, he said, is working hard in the area of customer enumeration in order to avoid a foul play on the customers by the DisCos.

    He said that NERC is putting in place penalties to ensure that the DisCos abide by the rules and regulations.

     

  • Why electricity meters are running faster – FG

    Owing to complaints that electricity meters are now running faster, the Nigeria Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA) has observed that power supply in the country has increase. 

    According to its Managing Director, Engr. Peter Ewesor, the manner of meter installation also determines its functionality. 

    Speaking during the opening ceremony of the specialized technical training for NEMSA’s Engineers and Technical officers holding at NAPTIN, Abuja, he pointed out that lack of good earthing could make a meter read a fault as a load for the consumer to pay more than what he consumes. 

    He said “metering is not just metering in isolation but because they have bad installation in their house, no good earthing, when there is a fault, instead of the fault going to the ground, the meter will be reading it as a load. You will be paying more than what you are consuming.”

    Read Also: Electricity consumers may protest over meters scarcity

    The Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation said “people are complaining that their meters are running, they have forgotten that power supply has increased. If you were using power only three hours before, now you have power for six hours or 15 hours it is a multiplication of the number of hours you were using.” 

     Ewesor added that some customers’ meters are reading their generators plant loads because of bad installation.

    He said because of the anticipation of excessive supply of meters into the country, owing to the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulation of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) the agency has already started remodeling and equipping its meter test stations in Kaduna to test the meters. 

    On the scope of the training, he said that training would be for two weeks, covering “all array of testing techniques, report writing, syndicate analysis and interpretation of the results they have carried out.” 

    Ewesor noted that he training would expose the staff and improve their skills sine it would be interactive. The agency had already trained 87 participants on the same courses in Lagos while 55 were undergoing training in Abuja, he said.

    According to him, the first group was that of younger engineers while the Abuja’s consisted of senior engineers that are to carry out inspection of all categories of electric installation from generation, distribution to transmission.

  • 22 firms receive NERC no objection for meter procurement 

    The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Wednesday said that it has granted “No Objection” to 22 companies to participate in it is Meter Procurement Process.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs , Dr. Usman Abba Arabi recalled in a statement that following the Commission’s approval of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations 2018, applications were invited from interested investors for ‘No Objection’ from the Commission.

    MAP Regulations, according to the statement, is intended to facilitate closure of the wide metering gap in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) within three years. The ‘No Objection’ is to qualify intending investors to participate in the meter procurement process in NESI.

    The statement reads in parts: “The Regulation mandates electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) to engage meter assets providers who fund purchase, installation and replacement of meters to meet Discos metering obligations to their customers. This is to ensure that all electricity customers are metered thereby reducing incidences of estimated electricity billing to the barest minimum.

    Read Also: NERC to increase electricity tariff

    “The Commission having conducted due diligence on the supporting documents to the applications submitted by interested investors, has granted successful applicants ‘No Objection’ to participate in the procurement process for meter assets provision in accordance with section 8 subsection 4 of the Meter Assets Providers Regulations, 2018.

    “Members of the public and intending investors should please note that the publication of these applicants does not foreclose other interested applicants from getting the ‘No Objection’ as it is a continuous exercise.

    Companies granted ‘No Objection’ include Huawei Technology Company Nigeria Limited; Bilview Energy Limited; Chintech Electro Nigeria Limited; Holley Metering Limited; Meron Nigeria Limited; Integrated Power Limited; MBH Power Limited; Trimani Engineering Limited; Sapropel Energy Resources Limited; Megawatt Distribution International Limited; Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Limited; and MOMAS Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Limited.

    “Others are Imperial Infrastructure Development Company Limited; Ratio Consulting Limited; Protogy Global Services Limited; Paktim Metering Nigeria Limited; Sabrud Consortium Nigeria Limited; Tinuten Nigeria Limited; Kayz Consortium Limited; BTS Power Limited; CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Limited and Cresthill Energy Limited.”

     

  • New NERC chairman vows to review tariff

    …FG to evacuate stranded 2000mw this year

     

    The tariff issue that has held the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) down since 2015 would soon be resolved as the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) chairman, Prof. James Momoh Thursday vowed to review it.

    Speaking with reporters after the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola inaugurated him in Abuja, he said the commission has no choice other than looking into the computation of the tariff.

    As the reporters put it to him that the tariff has remained a major issue in the electricity market asking what would he do about it, he swiftly said that “the tariff is not a challenge you cannot solve. It happened; you learnt something about it last week. You don’t have to relearn the same lesson today.

    “You should be able to ask question what are we going to do tomorrow to avoid the problem. There is what you call Data Science in the new thinking of the world, where we collect data, you learn from the information and you predict the future. So if we don’t do that we are wasting our time. Because you know it is going to rain tomorrow so you get your umbrella. You don’t wait until it rains before you go by umbrella.

    Asked whether his response suggests if there is going to be some progress in the clearance of the tariff issue that has lingered over the years, the new NERC boss said that “We have no choice we have to look at what computes a tariff. Tariff is not a guesswork. There is a calculation you do to get there.”

    Momoh promised to bring the experience that he has garnered over the years to bear in the commission, stressing that he believes in team work and addressing quick wins.

    He pointed out that some of the quick wins should be what the commission could do in terms of estimated metering and how to ensure that it gets enough data to convince customers to pay for the power they use.

    He also pledged to bring the best practices to the industry in the bid to ensure that NESI is a quality and reliable power supplier.

    There is also the need to ensure that there is innovation in the industry, he said, stressing that “if we remain the same, and we remain static, and we are not solving real problem, we will just be doing fire brigade promise. The GenCos will always tell you there is a blackout without knowing why.

    “You are going to ask question why. I know why, because I know the Mathematics behind it, I know the Physics behind it. I know also the Economics behind it. If we are able to teach people to know why things go wrong, perhaps, we learn from our mistakes.”

    Momoh, who said the industry should anticipate problems, insisted that “we look back, we use lessons of yesterday to solve tomorrow’s problem.”

    Earlier Fashola said that observers would admit that power supply has increased since 2015, submitting that “without a doubt, we have increased generation to 7000mw, increasing the transmission to over 7,000mw, and increasing the distribution from 2,690 to average of 4,900 or 5,000.”

    He announced that the electricity market has a capacity of 2,000mw that has been stranded, which the ministry is working to distribute before this year is over.

    According to him, the NESI has a new stock of 459MW underway from Azura that has notified him on the completion of its plant and its readiness to commence operation.

    Momoh said that the sector is expecting another 240Mw from Afam and another 215MW from Kaduna. Besides, he noted that the market is also expecting power from Kashimbilla, “but the distribution end is where our challenge lies.”

    The minister revealed that the mini grid regulation has started yielding results, and the ministry is already seeing the impacts in the market.

    He said that this year, markets like Suru in Lagos, Sabon Gari market in in Kano, Ariria market in Aba, and some other markets are going to be energized.

    Fashola noted that since the completion of the privatization of the sector, the size of the ministry has shrunk from the previous staff strength of the 50,000 to less than 1,000.

  • IGP sets up anti-electricity vandal response squad 

    IGP sets up anti-electricity vandal response squad 

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has sent notification to all police commands to set up an Anti- Electricity Vandal Response Squad.

    This is coming on the heels of the escalating rate of vandalism and theft of electricity distribution assets.

    Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibudu made this known to the power sector stakeholders during the 21st ministerial meeting that the power firm hosted in Asaba, Delta State. 

    She noted that despite the wider industry challenges and the sometimes very hostile and restive operating environment, the BEDC has been able to bring improvements to customer experience within the coverage area.

    She added that the company has attained an innovative and strict load management and outage schedules, which makes customers’ power availability predictable and better evenly spread in the distribution network clusters.  

    Osibudu told the stakeholders that the BEDC customers now have multiple channels of payment for their bills, adding that customers can now receive their bills through sms and emails and receive alert they make payment.

    According to her, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is in the process of standardizing allowable fines and penalties chargeable by the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for customer/consumer infractions. 

    She noted that there is still needs for a purpose fit legislation, criminalizing theft and expeditiously dispatching such cases before it, by setting up a mobile court.

    On tariff, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO): “The seeming freeze of retail electricity tariff without proportional ‘subsidies’ to cover cost is inhibiting DisCos ability to meet their performance obligations and in essence, customer expectations. 

    “The tariff situation is at the heart of the liquidity squeeze in Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and apparent performance gaps in same as this affects the entire value chain of the electricity market.

    “This impedes DisCos ability to access the financing necessary for Operation Expenditure  (OPEX), Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and loss reduction initiatives (including customers metering). 

    “As one of the fallout of the tariff issue, DisCos balance sheets are currently in a net liability position, as tariff shortfalls are not duly accounted for in the audited financial statements.”

  • GenCos to NERC: Add stranded 2,000MW to capacity 

    GenCos to NERC: Add stranded 2,000MW to capacity 

    …Commission holds consultations on MYTO frequency

     

    The electricity Generation Companies (GenCos) Monday urged the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to classify the stranded 2,000Mega Watts as part of the available generation capacity in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    The commission, according to its presentation on the review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology by Senior Manager, Market and Rate, Abbah Tera, takes generation capacity as one of the criteria for review of tariff.

    Responding to the presentation, the Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Mrs. Joy Ogaji, said that that the stranded capacity is not utilized does not mean that it is not produced by the generation companies.

    She noted that there is enough gas but the only constraint its cost, stressing that the GenCos should not suffer owing to the stranded power.

    Her words: “We are not saying we don’t have enough generation. The only constraint that Nigeria is having is the cost of gas. We have over 2,000MW sitting. The over 2,000Mw should be treated, it is available. GenCos should not suffer for it . In line with the review NERC should capture the stranded capacity.”

    Some of the stakeholders urged the commission to privatize the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) since it is obvious that the Federal Government which operates has proven inefficient.

    The Commissioner of Engineering Performance and Monitoring, Prof. Frank Okafor, however explained that the cost of funding the transmission network is too enormous for a private company to raise for the operation of the system.

    “It will be difficult to get investors that will fund the TCN,” he submitted.

    Besides, he said that it might be difficult to secure the right of way for the network since it transverse so many states of the federation.

    According to him, government is borrowing from multilateral financial agencies to expand the grid since the amount of power delivery is not sufficient to raise the required revenue.

    The commission maintained that it has met with the TCN and DisCos in order to deliver the stranded power to consumers.

    Owing to the appreciation of stranded generation, NERC said that Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has directed it to sell power to eligible customers.

    NERC however informed the stakeholders that it has already got the go ahead to enact a regulation that will encourage willing seller and willing buyer of electricity.

    NERC Vice President pointed out that the event was not for a tariff increase but for the commission to get stakeholders’ inputs on (the frequency of the review) how often the review should be carried out.

    The stakeholders were also divided on whether the tariff should be reviewed bi-annually, monthly or yearly.

    NERC carries out a major review tariff review every five years and minor review every six months.

    But speaking representative of Mainstream Energy, Solutions Limited, Musa Abba Bajoga, asked the commission to following the global practice to “do what is done universally.”

    The President Hotel Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ezeh Udeh told the commission to consider a yearly review since hotel rates are not reviewed monthly and that any price that rises in the country hardly falls.

    Network of Electricity Consumers Advocacy of Nigeria (NECAN), Tommy Akingbogun, told the commission not to use its rate to kill investors.

  • Electricity consumers in Uyo raise concerns over blackout, bogus bills

    Electricity consumers in Uyo raise concerns over blackout, bogus bills

    Electricity consumers in Uyo have expressed concerns over the irregular power supply and issuance of bogus bills by the Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHEDC).

    The consumers spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Sunday.

    Mr, Moses Eton, a landlord at No. 3, Akpan Ukpo Street, said that the area had been without electricity for three weeks now.

    “As you can see, we have no light and the situation has been like this in the last three weeks.

    “It is most unfortunate that PHEDC distributed estimated bills to us without considering the fact that it has not supplied us power.

    “The last time we had supply, our bulbs blew up and some of our appliances got damaged because of the power surge. We have not had electricity since then,” Eton said.

    Mr Kufre Akpan, who runs a barbing saloon in Ebet Aya, an outskirt of Uyo said the situation had made him to spend nearly one thousand naira daily on powering his generator.

    “This is the only way I can stay in business. We are suffering in this state. See PHEDC office close to us but we don’t have light.

    “The little profit that I am supposed to make is being spent on fuel to run my generator so as to meet the customers’ demand.

    “We are told there is a fault in the transformer servicing the area. We appeal to PHEDC to restore electricity to this area instead of giving residents high bills for electricity not consumed.

    Mr Akan Ukpong who resides in Esuene Housing Estate said that the PHEDC was not keen to render good services to consumers.

    According to him, the company was more interested in exploiting consumers by increasing their bills without commensurate services.

    “I wonder why the electricity company has not supplied the residents with prepaid meters and stopped estimated billing; It is only in Nigeria that you are forced to pay for electricity not consumed.

    “The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should rise up to its responsibility and check the excesses of these electricity companies across the country.”

    When contacted on phone, Mr John Onyi, PHEDC’s Head, Public Relations declined comment on the situation.

  • Shiroro power to increase generation by 300mw

    Shiroro power to increase generation by 300mw

    The Shiroro Hydro Power Station (SHPS) will soon double its operating capacity of 300mw through solar plant.

    Alhaji Dauda Abdulaziz, SHPS Chief Operating Officer, disclosed this on Thursday in Shiroro to a team from Infrastructure Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE).

    Abdulaziz said that the new solar plant would be digitally controlled instead of the conventional manual system.

    “This new solar form of energy generation we are introducing will generate additional 300mw. With this progress, Nigerians will henceforth enjoy more power supply.

    “It is a project that has prospect of employment for skilled young Nigerians,” he added.

    Abdulaziz said that consultation on the procurement process for the solar energy project was ongoing with relevant agencies and the host community to reach agreement for commencement of work.

    He told the team that each hydro power station in Nigeria was mandated to generate 3000mw per annum, adding that Shiroro had been generating 2,360mw.

    Abdulaziz said that the shortfall was due to the repairs and the upgrade of facilities after the handing over of the company in Nov. 1, 2013.

    “The annual energy generation currently is 2,260mw. Installed capacity is 600mw, 4 units each that generate 150mw.

    “There are four units meant to generate power, but right now we only use two to generate 300mw because the other two units are under maintenance and are not generating energy for now,” he said.

    Earlier, Alhaji Aminu Diko, the ICRC Director General, had expressed optimism with the upgrade and repairs of infrastructure to enable the station to generate 3000mw.

    “I am happy with what we are seeing. The new system of bringing in ICT and capital to invest for Nigerians to enjoy maximum power supply is a way forward.

    “What is now mitigating the generation of sufficient energy generation is the certain repairs and operation that needs to be carried which includes bringing in extensive experts from the USA.

    “The plan to have additional 300MW of power generation using solar can only be achieved through government partnership with the private sector.

    “This 30 years concession is for the power station to invest money, give the desired power generation and recover their investment within the period of 25 to 30 years.

    “It is after these years of investment that they will refer back to government to ascertain if there has been an improvement with sufficient manpower to run the company or not.

    “The essence of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is that come let us partner, we will agree and disagree, but we have a strategic objective.

    ”If the concessionaire is no longer up to the agreement, there are clauses in the agreement that require us to take certain action of termination of agreement”, he said.

    Diko called for immediate completion of the maintenance works since the two units currently working was not enough to generate the needed energy consumption.

    “Having only two functional units in the whole system is a setback; It is not enough.

    “There has to be an improvement. Shutting down unit every evening to allow divers to work under water is not good for the present situation the country is in.

    “This overhauling has to be fixed so that it will be easy to increase capacity generation,” he said.