Electricity: Minister apologises as eight power plants collapse

Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, has tendered an apology to Nigerians over the erratic power supply being experienced in parts of the country.

A statement on Thursday by the minister’s spokesperson, Aaron Artimas, attributed the poor power supply to the breakdown of eight power generation plants.

He further noted that seven other thermal plants were battling with low gas shortages.

The minister however said efforts were ongoing to restore power to the affected areas in the country.

“I sincerely regret the recent Power outages across the Nation and the difficulties it has brought with it, and wish to assure my Fellow Nigerians that everyone involved is working assiduously to restore the National grid to its previous historical levels and exceed that,” Mamman said.

The minister also said, “The problem is caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid. The plants are namely, Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor. The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance.

“Seven other integrated Power plants, namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant has water management issues. This unfortunate development has drastically affected Power generation, thus effectively minimizing the national grid.

“In view of this, The Hon. Minister of Power Engr. @EngrSMamman regrets this unfortunate situation and offers his sincere apology to all affected Nigerians on the inconveniences the Power shortages are causing. He assures that the ministry through the appropriate Agencies is working assiduously to rectify the technical problems affecting the plants as well as resolving the gas issues to the others.

“Engr. Sale Mamman further assures that the national grid will be restored to its previous historic distribution peak of about5,600MW of electricity achieved early this year, so as to relief Nigerians from the current harsh climatic conditions and restore full economic activities.”