What we desire is that we should arrest the situation and that it should not happen at all.”
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu said all the recommendations necessary for curbing incessant grid collapse have financial implications that he would include in the 2024 Supplementary Budget and the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Responding after receiving a report on the resolution of incessant grid collapse from a six-man committee in Abuja, he said alongside the heads of agencies and departments in the ministry, he would look into the recommendations to add a general agreement on the final solution.
Adelabu added that he would present an amended report to aide his submission to Tinubu owing to the financial implications.
His words: “Out of this. So there will be an amended report after this meeting, which will help me to submit to Mr. President.
“Because all these have financial implications. And it must be so recognised inclusion in the 2025 budget.
“We will not wait until then for it to start implementation. Whatever we can actually cover within our 2025 budget now, and even if it is possible, a supplementary budget. Because it is a national issue, and must be so addressed.”
The minister blamed the incessant grid collapse in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) on vandalisation of electricity and aging infrastructure.
He also said the lack of maintenance in the past is responsible for the frequent grid collapse.
He said although it is not his desire that the grid collapses frequently, it is commendable that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) technical team always responds swiftly to restore power within 24 hours.
According to him: “But once we have it despite the age of the system, lack of maintenance in the past, and a number of other external factors responsible for this grid collapse, major of which is vandalization, which is responsible for majority of the incidences which we have noticed this year: health of power equipment, vandalization of power equipment.
“In spite of this, you have responded swiftly to ensure that none of the grid collapse actually lasted more than 24 hours…
“What we desire is that we should arrest the situation and that it should not happen at all. And that is why we are here.”
Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Nafisat Ali informed the minister that Jebba Hydro power plant was commissioned in 1968.
Ali, who is also the Independent System Operator,Executive Director, urged the Federal Government to in the short term of one month review relaying philosophy and setting, particularly at critical nodes.
She said the committee also recommended that the government enhance the capacity development for Maintenance and System Operator (SO) staff.
The committee, according to her, also recommended the testing of existing equipment at the critical nodes to establish reliability.
– Nation