The attainment of industrialisation dream of Nigeria is hinged on steady power supply via effective electricity generation, transmission and distribution to all parts of the country.
Observers note that from the periods of electricity managements of Electricity Corporation of Nigeria, National Electricity Power Authority and Power Holding Company of Nigeria to the time of the sector’s privatisation, electricity generation, transmission and distribution have posed serious challenges.
Concerned by the challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled an agenda for development of the sector with a road map for achieving uninterrupted power.
Observers also recall that the present administration has repositioned the sector, providing N701 billion payment assurance guarantee to operators, among other interventions.
The Federal Government notes that the fund has brought confidence to the production side of the power business.
According to the presidency, the intervention is partly responsible for the increased power production to 7,000 megawatts.
Available records also show that government’s action in transmission service expansion through Transmission Company of Nigeria has also increased transmission capacity to more than 5,000 megawatts to make power relatively steady.
Critics, nonetheless, observe that the feat recorded in power generation and transmission has not been fully replicated in the distribution chain.
According to them, 2,000 megawatts of power are not distributed due to inadequacy of distribution networks in the country.
But Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola insists that the incidents of total and partial grid collapse have reduced, preparing grounds for effective distribution.
“The fact that we can produce more than 7,000 megawatts and put more than 5,000 megawatts on the grid means that we have 2,000 megawatts of unused power left.
“This is a new problem that we must resolve; we must get those 2,000 megawatts out to the people who need power.
“More power genertaion is coming in 2018 from power projects such as Gbarain Generation Company Ltd.; 115 megawatts, Kashimbilla in Taraba; 40 megawatts, Afam III in Rivers; 240 megawatts, Gurara in Niger; 30 megawatts, Dadin Kowa in Gombe State; 29 megawatts and Kaduna; 215 megawatts, among others.
“All of these do not include mini-grids and solar systems that are in various stages of development,’’ he said.
Fashola had also explained that plans were ongoing to ensure the distribution of the remaining 2,000 megawatts of power to industrial customers.
“If we can produce 7,000 megawatts and we can only distribute about 5,000 megawatts, the problem has changed from lack of power to locating where the need is.
“It involves designing a solution that takes the balance of 2,000 megawatts to those who need it and can pay.
“We must act to build the bridge that connects this gulf of supply and demand; that bridge is a bridge of data and information about finding the location of the businesses and industries that need power and getting the 2,000 megawatts waiting for deployment,’’ he said.
This explanation notwithstanding, analysts identify deficiency in distribution infrastructure, poor utilisation of existing distribution networks and inadequate power evacuation at newly completed Independent Power Producer as reasons for the unutilsed 2,000 megawatts.
However, the Niger-Delta Power Holding Company says it will help to improve distribution of electricity to consumers by embarking construction of distribution networks across the country.
Mr Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director of the company said the company had embarked on the development of 296 distribution projects in various parts of the country.
“We also have to work with the government for the minister to make sure that we complete a number of our distribution projects.
“We have completed more than 20 distribution projects to improve the ability of distribution companies to take more power to the people.
“We have seven distribution infrastructures in Kogi and these are completed projects yet to be taken over by the distribution companies.
“We can’t leave this projects idle, the projects are being vandalised, some of the parts have been stolen, we need companies to start using this project to supply electricity to communities,’’ he said.
Similarly, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors says it is working diligently to increase electricity distribution network.
All in all, perceptive analysts note that more efforts should be made to expand distribution infrastructure and make use of the unused energy.
In the same vein, they call on all stakeholders in the sector to ensure regular electricity by giving attention to its generation, transmission and distribution for the development of the country.(NAN)
