It is no doubt that the power supply
sector in Nigeria is currently experiencing serious crisis. Nigeria, with a
population of over 170 million is generating just about 4,000 MW of
electricity. As the population increases and standard of living increases, the
increase in energy consumption associated with households and public facilities
will continue to put pressure on existing power supply infrastructure.
The recent stability in the gas
supply infrastructure and the underground efforts by government to pacify gas
pipeline vandals has brought about sustained power supply in recent weeks to
the delight of many Nigerians.
I recently came across an article
published in Punch news-daily where the
authorMr. Femi Asu alleged that Power Supply had dropped nationwide by about
1,047MW in a space of 6 days between August 25th and August 31st 2015.
While I agree it is very possible for
such a sudden drop in supply to occur given the nature and volatility of the
sector, the authors attempt to justify the claim based on reports obtained from
the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) exposed a fundamental lack of
understanding on the part of the author.
I was quick to contact the PTFP
seeking power generation data over the same period. My findings revealed that a
maximum of 235 MWH/H drop in average daily power evacuated was recorded between
25th August 2015 and 31st August 2015. While this sudden drop is worrisome,
there is sufficient evidence as to the causes of the drop and what can be done
to improve the situation.
The shutdown of the Utorogu Gas Plant
depreciated supply into the Escravos Lagos Pipeline coupled with a similar
shutdown of both the Trans Niger Pipeline and Nembe Creek Trunkline
cumulatively led to the drop in average power supply
recorded over the said period.
From the data made available by the
PTFP, it was clear that in August 25th 2015 a peak of 4,812 MW was recorded as
against a peak of 4,642 MW recorded on 31st August 2015. Similarly, average
capacity evacuated on 25th August 2015 was 3,998 MWH/H as against a 3,763 MWH/H
average evacuated on the 31st of August 2015.
For clarity, there is a fundamental
difference between daily peak generation which is the highest recorded
instantaneous generating capacity for any given day and the daily average
evacuated power which is a mean computed over 24 hour period.
In arriving at the alleged 1,047 MW
drop in 6 days headline, it is clear that the author mischievously decided to
deduct the daily average power evacuated on 31st August 2015 from the peak
power generation recorded on 25th August 2015. This sort of desperate attempt
to misinform the public is quiet disgraceful and must be condemned if we are to
make progress collectively as a nation.
Whilst I insist that all hands must
continue to be on deck to ensure the current momentum is sustained in the
Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, it is important that we continue to
condemn deliberate acts to misinform public and support government with
objective criticism.
A lot of what the current
administration has embarked on to improve supply can best be described a low
hanging fruits. The real work is yet to commence and we will be waiting and
watching with keen interest.
Oluwole Isaac
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be speaking using grammar to deceive us
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the rejoinder. I want to assume the earlier writer didn't intend to mislead the public (but only made a misinformed analysis).
ReplyDeleteNigerians - like myself- didn't vote Buhari because of APC, tribe, religion, age etc, we voted him because we believe that, through him, Nigeria can be great again.