Gas plant shutdown caused drastic drop in electricity – FG

The Federal Ministry of Power has attributed the current sharp drop in electricity generation in Nigeria to a partial shutdown of the Oben gas plant in Edo State, meant to address the repair of critical gas processing equipment.

Many parts of the country have been in darkness and some cities merely received an average of one-hour power supply daily since the beginning of the week.

The ministry gave the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday, adding that the plant shutdown occurred while other gas sources are undergoing maintenance and capacity testing.

The statement read in part, “We wish to notify the general public that the current dip in electricity generation is as a result of the partial shutdown of the Oben gas plant to address the repair of critical gas processing equipment.”

“The incident unfortunately occurred at a time when other power plants on other gas sources are undergoing planned maintenance and capacity testing.

“We wish to notify the public that Seplat Energy Plc has mobilized equipment, material and personnel to site with a view to expediting the restoration of normal gas supply to the affected power plants.

“We have been assured that the repair work would be concluded this weekend and normalcy will be restored. While pleading with electricity consumers with the current state of supply, we wish to assure the general public that efforts are being made for a sustained improvement of supply across the country.”