The Federal government has acknowledged that there is low power supply in the country and has vowed to offset outstanding payments to the Generation Companies (GenCos). This was made known in a statement in Abuja by Bolaji Tunji, the special Adviser, strategic communication and media relations to the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu.
Adelabu said the blackout experienced in the country was due to low supply of gas to power generation companies. He said the payments were to ensure improved gas supply and bolstered power generation, noting that “This will also enable distribution companies to supply more electricity to Nigerians.”
“In the past couple of weeks, there has been a significant downturn in the level of power supply to Nigerians. This is mainly due to a decreased level of gas supply to generation companies. This situation has led to a lower level of energy supplied to load centres which has affected supply of electricity to distribution companies,” the minister stated.
“Efforts are on the way by the federal government to ensure outstanding payments are made to generation companies to ensure improved gas supply and increased power generation. This will also enable distribution companies to supply more electricity to Nigerians. We acknowledge the current unsustainable situation and we expect a turnaround immediately,” he added.
Speaking to the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, Adelabu stated, “This grid project will strengthen the transmission network and create alternative transmission corridors to avoid grid collapse.”
He further expressed that the contribution of the state with the federal government would create a more effective flow of power supply in the country.
He added: “By investing in transformers and electricity poles which is about grid extension, the governor has further confirmed our approach that the state needs to be involved in the provision of power infrastructure.
“We have further indicated to distribution companies that end-users must not be required to purchase equipment for the delivery of electricity. This infrastructure must be provided by the distribution companies while there will be interventions from the federal state government.
“Agencies such as the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will also intervene in electrifying communities that are not commercially viable for the distribution companies”.
He urged the government to further protect the power infrastructure in the state and saw it quite discouraging when the government spends so much in the power sector and such assets are vandalised.
