Power

By Kazeem Ayodeji

Ekiti State government has reaffirmed its determination to fast-track social and economic development through stable power supply with the official inauguration of the 3.6-megawatt Independent power plant, IPP, in the state capital.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji who stated this at the Inauguration ceremony in Ado Ekiti said the initiative had reinforced the benefit of continuity in governance as the project was started by his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

He maintained that the project would reduce the poor power supply that has been affecting economic and industrial growth in the state, saying the move would attract investors and boost business activities.

Acknowledging the setbacks poor electricity has brought to the state, particularly in industrial growth, Governor Oyebanji explained that the project would supply power to critical government infrastructure such as offices, the state hospital, judiciary, legislature, the state university, and the public.

Revealing an influx of requests from business concerns wanting to connect to the IPP, the governor assured their connection to the power source but with payment of service fees.

According to Mr Oyebanji, government has put in place, a series of measures to address power challenges in the state with the recent restoration of light to some communities which have been in darkness for years. 

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, noted that the 3.6MW project, Phase One, would be expanded to 5MW to power more facilities, emphasizing its cardinal role in the industrialization of the state.

Chairman of the Ekiti State Independent Power Plant, Mr. Olufemi Bakare, explained the project’s potential to energize all state infrastructure and facilities in Ado-Ekiti metropolitan area through an 11km underground distribution network, which will energize key locations like the state secretariat, the state Teaching Hospital, and the Ekiti State University.

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Power

By Olawale Asake

Ekiti State Independent Power Project, IPP, has commenced operation with test running as part of efforts at addressing the shortage of electricity supply to the State.

The State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun who made this known during a facility tour of the Power Plant Station in Ado Ekiti, said the project initiated by the immediate past administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was one in the series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the State.

Mr. Olatunbosun stressed that the IPP is currently guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis.

According to him, the initiative was geared towards boosting industrialization and socio-economic development as well as enhance good governance, noting that doing away with the use of generating sets with attendant huge cost of diesels and environmental pollution used to power public facilities like streetlights and government offices would block a lot of wastage.

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Power

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, says the loss of electricity supply in the entire Imo is a result of the industrial action by the organised labour union in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the EEDC’s Head, of Corporate Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, on Thursday in Enugu.

“EEDC wishes to inform its esteemed customers in Imo State that the loss of supply currently being experienced follows the industrial action by organised labour unions in Imo State.

“This led to the union shutting down our source of supply at Egbu Transmission Station, leaving us with no energy to distribute to our customers.

“As a result of this development, the whole of Imo State is without electricity supply,” he said.

According to him, “We appreciate the inconveniences this situation must have caused our customers, and we hope that the issue will be resolved soon,” he said.

The EEDC spokesman, however, assured the good people of Imo that the company is on standby to restore supply once the industrial action is called off.

“EEDC is committed to improving on its processes and delivering improved services to its esteemed customers,” he added.

NAN / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Power

By Olawale Asake

The Chairmanship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State in the forthcoming Local Government Election, Mr. Sola Adeleke has congratulated the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin on his election as the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

The PDP Candidate congratulated Ogundoyin, describing the accomplishment as icing achievements of his political career with many milestones.

Mr. Adeleke acknowledged Mr. Ogundoyin’s brand of leadership, which he noted had endeared him to many political leaders across the Country. 

He reaffirmed his belief in Speaker’s capacity to bring his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in his new role as the Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Speakers.

Meanwhile, the Chairmanship Candidate also congratulated the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State, Miss Wasilat Adegoke on her appointment.

Mr. Adeleke emphasized the Governor’s readiness to offer deserving opportunities to the youths, as embodied by the recent appointment of Miss Adegoke as a Commissioner in his Cabinet.

He expressed complete confidence in Miss Adegoke’s capacity to lead the Ministry to achieve new height of successes 

He expressed delights in the opportunities presented to the political leaders from Ibarapa Zone by the Governor.

Mr.Adeleke commended the Governor’s progressive positions towards creating a government that was accountable, inclusive and beneficial to all. 

He pledged his unwavering support to the Governor towards the actualization of his developmental goals for the State, particularly as the Local Government election draws closer.

” I want to appreciate the Governor for the opportunity open to political leaders arising from his leadership.

The PDP Candidate pledged readiness to work collaboratively as an active participant within the Ibarapa political landscape towards realising a prosperous, peaceful and integrated Ibarapa Zone. 

Mr Adeleke urged all citizens to actively participate in the State’s socio-economic and political activities and contribute their quota towards the advancement of their communities and the state at large.

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Power

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has deployed 103 mini-grids across the country under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of REA, Ahmed Salihijo during the 10th Mini Grid roundtable discussion, held virtually on Wednesday in Abuja said the agency was committed to bridging the energy access gap in Nigeria.

He said that since inception, REA had made significant progress in achieving this goal including the completion and commissioning over 80 mini-grids, connecting about 32,000 households, MSMEs, and public facilities, and providing clean and reliable electricity.”

‘’The Agency is implementing various electrification programmes – like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) – targeted at creating lasting impacts by fostering economic growth, improving education, and enhancing the overall quality of life of Nigerians,” he stated.

Also, Abba Aliyu, the Head of the REA Project Management Unit of the NEP said ”This achievement underscores our commitment to providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions to communities that have long been underserved.”

He further said the initiative has impacted over 230,000 people across Nigeria, leading to positive changes in their daily routines, economic activities, and overall quality of life.

FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Power

By Funmi Adekoya

The Osun State Government has intervened in the ongoing crisis between the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC and some communities in Osogbo, calling for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting on the disconnection of parts of the state capital from power supply.

In a statement by governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the state government called on the two parties to consider an alternative dispute resolution method, as the blackout may lead to insecurity in the affected communities, shutdown of economic activities and negative impact on the upcoming Eid El Kabir celebration.

The government appealed to IBEDC to restore power supply, while an immediate solution will be worked out to sort the huge debt owed by the affected communities.

The state government expressed concern about the likely breakdown of law and order due to the protests from the affected communities which may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements in pursuance of their nefarious activities.

The statement adds that government is committed to brokering a peaceful negotiation between the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and the stakeholders from the affected communities.

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Power

Power supply will drop by 50 megawatts on Wednesday.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, in a statement on Monday, said the drop would be as a result of planned annual “preventive maintenance” on the line bay at Lekki Transmission Substation in Lagos.

During the maintenance period, about 50MW will be interrupted, affecting power supply to Lekki phase 1, Oniru, Elegushi, Waterfront, Igbo Efon and Twenty-first Century Estate in Lagos state.

“TCN regrets all inconvenience this might cause electricity consumers in the affected area,” the statement said.

The announcement came on the heels of a promise by the Nigerian electricity Regulatory Commission to deliver at least 5000MW of electricity to Nigerians starting from July 1.

Report showed that peak generation as of 3:24 PM on Monday was put at 3, 967MW, while the lowest generation was 3, 539MW, according to statistics from the Nigerian Electricity System Operator, NESO.

The NERC had responded to a widespread public clamour following consistent system collapsing of the power grid, over four incidents recorded so far this year.
According to the commission, all hands are on deck to ensure boost in power generation and supply to electricity consumers, adding that all stakeholders, including gas firms had signed binding contracts to the effect.

“Although there have been contracts in the past, they were not binding and the parties could decide not to honour them. But with the new agreement, we would make sure no party defaults once the contracts are signed. Whoever defaults will be held responsible and will be sanctioned”, NERC Chairman, Garba Sanusi had said during a media parley in Lagos.

However, a metering expert, Sesan Okunade, said  that power generation was not what Nigeria should be battling to solve at the moment.

“We have generated more than this before that have been sold to neighboring countries. Our problem is transmission and the Disco whose infrastructure is not capable of withholding the supply if more power is transmitted from the Genco. Some of the reasons for system collapse is the excess kilowatt not being collected by Disco due the technical and commercial loss.”

He said NERC should mandate the Disco on good connection policy devoid of the curweb currently in the network so that energy will be well accounted for; adding that this will assist in knowing if more is to be transmitted to such Disco.

“Good connection policy and investment in transformers to replace the obsolete one will assist in what is being generated to be effectively received by Discos”, he added.

Experts say Nigeria needs at least 30, 000MW to attain power sufficiency.

National President, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, Barrister Chijioke James, questioned why NERC should still set a target of 5000MW when Nigerian consumers were told years ago that the generation capacity was over 6000MW.

“We are therefore surprised that in 2022 NERC is promising delivery of 5000MW.

This does not give consumers confidence that the current situation will change for the better soonest”, he said.

Punch /Taiwo Akinola

Power

Traders in Lafenwa market have called on Ogun State government to take necessary steps towards preventing perennial flooding in the market and it environs.

They made the call when the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun visited the area to inspect  ongoing reconstruction of 5.3 Kilometers Lafenwa Rounda Road.

Speaking on behalf of the traders, Alhaja Rashidat Oyedele and Alhaji Akeem Alalade also urged the state government to find lasting solution to the issue of power outage in the market since 2011.

Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun explained  that issue of flooding would soon be a thing of the past after the completion of the drainage along Lanfenwa Rounda  road. 

The Governor also gave the assurance that within two months his administration would  work towards restoring power to the popular Lafenwa market.

The Governor who also condemned disturbances in the market by miscreants, reiterated the decision of his administration to deal ruthlessly with anyone caught disturbing peace in the area.


Bolanle Adesida

Power

Many communities in Ogun State have been thrown into another round of blackout following a reported explosion of the Ota industrial 33KV feeder

It was gathered that there was a snap on the feeder which was caused as a result of an explosion that affected several transformers including those at Ilaro and Papalanto.

The Ogun region of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday.

According to the IBEDC, many towns and villages in Ewekoro, Ifo, Yewa South, and Ipokia Local Government Areas are in darkness.

However, the IBEDC said its technical team was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ensure the power supply was restored.

The statement read, “Kindly be informed that there was a snap on the Ota-Industrial 33kv feeder which caused an explosion and affected several transformers including those at llaro and Papalanto.

“As a result of this, customers in Papalanto, Arigbajo, Ejio, Ifo, Agosi, Olomu road, Ososun village, Coker, Akinside, Ibogun, Oju-sango, Pakoto, Bayoku, Agbegise, Ogungbade, lyana Cele, lyana llogbo, Owode Ijako, Isorosi, Ishaka, Igbala and ljako Sugar are affected.

“Others affected areas, llaro town, Igbogila, Oja Odan, Ilaro Poly, Pahayi, ldi-Iroko, Ipokia, Ilase, Igua, Farm settlement, Ibese, ljoga, lbara orile, ljoun, Imasayi, Abule-oke, Maria, Yewa, Ajegunle, Abalabi, Akinside, Akinbo, Olorunsogo, Ilaro road, Weybridge, Gudugba, Abule Oko, Bonny Pie industries, Waterworks, Lapeleke, and environs are experiencing power outage.

“Our technical team is working with TCN to ensure power supply is restored. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.”

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Power


…As FG plans sub-stations in Katsina, Kano states

Electricity generation on, the weekend, dropped by 7 per cent to 3,284 megawatts, MW, from 3,526MW, according to the report of the Nigeria Electricity System Operator, obtained by Newsmen.

This was grossly inadequate for transmission and distribution to electricity consumers, including households and organisations in all parts of the nation.
Consequently, checks by Newsmen indicated that many consumers did not have a supply while others generated their power independent at higher costs.

However, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), weekend, stated that the Federal Government is making effort to deliver two units of 330 kV power transmission substations in Katsina and Kano states.

The Managing Director, TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz assured that the company would deliver two units of 330kV power transmission substations in Katsina and Kano states along with the transmission lines in the next year to boost the power supply in the states.

Abdulaziz, who gave the assurance while inspecting the 330/132/33kV Katsina Substation project and the Rimi Zakaria Substation in Kano, at the instance of the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, said the transformers and structures are in place at the Katsina Substation.

A statement by TCN General Manager Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, yesterday explained that on completion, the Katsina substation will improve the transmission of bulk power supply to Daura, Dutsinma, Kankara and Malumfashi Substations in the state.

She quoted Abdulaziz as saying that “We are willing, and we want to ensure that we finish this substation within one year. We will also invite Mr President to commission the substation”.

The TCN boss noted that the transmission line that will bring bulk supply to the substation is from Kano and was earlier affected by Right of Way issues.

He noted that the substation facility has two units of 150MVA power transformers and two units of 60MVA power transformers.


According to him, “We have discussed with the Kano government, they have assisted us with paying for the land while TCN has concluded processes for the structures. So the contractor is now free to continue the construction of towers and eventually the lines.

We want to make sure that within the one year remaining for this administration, we will be able to complete that transmission line, and so that Mr President will commission the project”.

He also visited the 30MVA 132/33kV mobile transmission Substation Bichi, which was executed in-house by TCN engineers.

The substation has been completed and will improve the bulk power requirement of the state waterworks, Bichi and environs.

The representative of the contractor of the Katsina project, Engr. Mustapha Maihajjo lauded the current administration for fast-tracking the Katsina Substation project’s funding.

Also, the Special Assistant on Power and Energy to the Katsina State Governor, Mansur Ahmed Musa commended the Katsina Mega Substation project.

Vanguard/Opeyemi Olugbenga

Power

The National Grid has collapsed again plunging the nation into total darkness.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, announced the development In a tweet posted on its handle on Twitter and urged Nigerians to be patient.

“Hello, please be informed that there has just been a national grid collapse causing an outage in our franchise areas. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appeal that you bear with us while we await restoration from the TCN. We regret all inconvenience caused,” AEDC tweeted.

Also, the management of Kaduna Electricity in a statement signed by its head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said, it “regrets to inform you that the current outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to a collapse of the national grid. The collapse occurred at about 18:29 pm this evening.”

The latest collapse, the third in less than a month, came despite assurances by the Federal Government that it has taken steps to address the problem.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, which manages the grid had last month said it had developed alternative ways of managing the grid.

Olaolu Fawole

Power

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has declared that it is not the responsibility of electricity consumers/customers or communities to buy, replace or repair transformers, poles, cables and related items used in the power supply.

The disclosure was made on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State capital by FCCPC’s Executive Commissioner, Operations, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, in his remarks at the opening of the commission’s four-day electricity consumers’ complaints’ resolution platform, which was sponsored by MacArthur Foundation and attended by many consumers.

Abdullahi stated that there were many issues in electricity consumption in Nigeria while condemning disconnection of consumers’ lines without notice, outrageous/crazy bills, non-supply of paid-for meters and disregard for regulations, among other complaints by electricity consumers in the country.

He said, “The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), an independent regulatory body, has the authority to regulate the electric power industry in the country, while FCCPC is to protect consumers throughout Nigeria.

“Electricity consumers in Nigeria have the right to properly-installed and functional meters. Payment for meters shall not be made if meters are not available. The Meter Asset Provider (MAP) shall install the meters at the premises of the customers within ten working days of payment.

“Unmetered customers shall not experience any cost increase, beyond what is chargeable to metered customers in the same area. Customers have the right to contest bills and withhold payment of disputed bills.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs Funke Osibodu, in her goodwill message, insisted that officials of the company were trying their best to make their customers in the franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti happy, thereby quickly resolving issues.

Osibodu, who was represented by BEDC’s Chief State Head for Edo, Mr Abel Enechaziam, stated that she was aware of limited power supply and inadequate metering, which he said should not be blamed on the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), stressing that BEDC was always ready to listen to the consumers’ complaints, with quick actions being taken.

BEDC’s managing director also stressed that there was an inadequate supply of meters by NERC while pointing out that DisCos across Nigeria were facing challenges from the generation and transmission of power, which she expressed optimism that NERC would soon be able to resolve.

A top official of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Mr Akinbadejo Akinleye, while also speaking, noted that the agency’s officers were always striving to ensure the maintenance of quality in electricity management in the country.

One of the displeased consumers of BEDC, Daniel Ikhanaede, lamented having about four days of electricity supply in a month, in a small residential apartment in Benin, only to receive an outrageous bill of over N200,000.

Peter Asekhaino, a lawyer, who is the Legal Adviser to Hotel Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Edo State chapter, revealed that he earlier wrote over forty complaint letters, on behalf of his clients, to BEDC’s head office in Benin, without response, while tendering photocopies of the no replied letters, particularly on overbilling, wondering why a hotel’s monthly bill would suddenly jump from N900,000 to over N6 million.

While also speaking, an aggrieved elderly customer, Pa Vincent Igbinosu, lamented the irregular supply of electricity to his house in the Edo State capital, while monthly receiving crazy bills, which he said should be looked into.

Punch/Adewumi Faniran

 

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Power

Chief Operating Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, Engineer John Ayodele says the company records over four billion naira as losses from electricity revenue every month.
Engineer Ayodele said this during the company’s half year Press Conference held in Ibadan.
He explained that the monthly electricity bills amounted to almost ten to twelve billion naira, while the shortfall in the payment of electricity bills was having negative effects on provision of power supply.
Engineer Ayodele said the privatization of the power sector would have been a huge success if government had contributed its mandated forty percent to the sector.
Engineer Ayodele appealed to members of the public to always guard electricity installations in their areas to check vandalism and also report unethical behaviour of IBEDC staff to the management.
On the issue of Electricity meters, the company’s Chief Business Transformation and Strategy Officer, Mr. Iranola Ayodeji said over one hundred thousand meters had been planned to be given to customers before the end of the year.
Mr. Ayodeji appealed to electricity consumers to reduce electricity usage if they were unable to pay for electricity as and when due.

Olaolu Fawole

Power

Total blackout looms across the country as electricity workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have threatened to embark on a nationwide strike to halt the proposed sale of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The union has vowed to embark on the suspended nationwide protest if the government continues with the plan of selling the TCN also appealed to the National Assembly and Nigerians to resist the push for the sale of TCN which will further leave the nation with regrets and ‘had I known’

The National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE) General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the union wonders why the government is still bent on selling off TCN when the transmission and distribution have after eight years of privatization failed to yield expected turnaround of the power sector

“Almost eight years after the privatization of the power sector, there has not been any visible improvement in terms of power supply, expansion or investments by the new owners of the DisCos and GenCos.”Ajaero said.

FRCN, Abuja

Power

The governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has flagged-off the construction of 33KV power supply line from Ile-Ife to Garage-Olode (Awolowo Town) and Ifetedo/Garage Olode 33KV power supply. 

The power project is coming after 10 years of power outage in the affected areas.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Garage-Olode, Ife-South Local Government Area, Mr Oyetola said the project occupied a strategic place in his administration’s agenda to empower the benefiting communities to contribute substantially to the development of the state. 

He said his administration had been working closely with Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, to ensure quick and prompt delivery of the project.

The Osun State helmsman explained that part of the reason the project was delayed up till now was the need for a permanent solution rather than a palliative. 

Mr Oyetola who identified some of the projects executed in the areas, said his administration, under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation &Hygiene (PEWASH) programme, had earlier facilitated the sinking of 11 new solar-powered Boreholes and 5 new Hand pump boreholes. 

In his remarks, Member, Osun House of Assembly representing Ife-South State Constituency, Mr. Benjamin Ogundipe, described the project as one that would bring succour to the people of his constituency.

The Executive Director (Networks), Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr Ife-Oluwa Oyedele, lauded Governor Oyetola for continually taking the welfare and general wellbeing of the people as his topmost priority.

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Olubosin of Ifetedo, Oba Akinola Akinrera, and the Olu of Olode, Oba David Omisore, expressed their profound gratitude to the governor for taking their subjects out of protracted darkness that had paralysed the socioeconomic activities of the areas in the last ten years.

The power intervention efforts will also help to power towns and villages such as Iyanfoworogi, Aye Coker, Aye-Oba, Wanikin Eleja, Egbejoda, Idi Obi and Ali Ahanran in this first phase, and when completed, the project will cover the entire Ife South Local Government and the LCDA.

Adenitan Akinola