Representatives will investigate frequent national grid crashes
The House of Representatives has instructed its Energy Committee to investigate the cause of the frequent collapse of the national power grid.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance proposed by Sani Bala (APC, Kano) on Tuesday during the plenary.
In introducing the motion, Mr. Bala informed his colleagues that the network has crashed about seven times in the past nine months and more than 100 times between 2013 and today.
He said the recent shutdown was one of the worst in recent history, warning that there may be no end in sight according to experts.
“Since 2013, when the privatization exercise took place in the electricity sector, the country has experienced more than a hundred national grid collapses; a challenge which, according to experts and operators, would persist for a long time if not solved.
“This year alone, the national grid has collapsed seven times (more than the three times recorded last year), causing nationwide blackouts with enormous socio-economic implications,” a- he said.
Mr. Bala said the lack of spinning reserve may be partly responsible for the meltdowns. He added that it is incomprehensible that all major power stations in the country, including Egbin, Utorogu, Chevron Oredo, gas-fired power stations in Oben, Ughelli and Chevron Escravos, could all shut down at the same time.
> READ ALSO: Why Nigeria's National Grid Collapsed Again - TCN"The collapse of the system may have something to do with the Transmission Company of Nigeria's lack of transmission capacity, inadequate transmission lines and spinning reserves, and refusal to accelerate the construction of digital control centers instead of the company's current analog system," Mr. Bala said in his motion.
Speaking in support of the motion, Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu said the current administration has yet to build capacity that has existed since 2015.
"We talk about unemployment, how can we fix it without stable power?" said Mr. Okechukwu.
At the end of the debate, the House instructed the Energy Committee to investigate the root causes of the ongoing meltdowns and address the ugly trend of preventing future occurrences.
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The House of Representatives has instructed its Energy Committee to investigate the cause of the frequent collapse of the national power grid.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance proposed by Sani Bala (APC, Kano) on Tuesday during the plenary.
In introducing the motion, Mr. Bala informed his colleagues that the network has crashed about seven times in the past nine months and more than 100 times between 2013 and today.
He said the recent shutdown was one of the worst in recent history, warning that there may be no end in sight according to experts.
“Since 2013, when the privatization exercise took place in the electricity sector, the country has experienced more than a hundred national grid collapses; a challenge which, according to experts and operators, would persist for a long time if not solved.
“This year alone, the national grid has collapsed seven times (more than the three times recorded last year), causing nationwide blackouts with enormous socio-economic implications,” a- he said.
Mr. Bala said the lack of spinning reserve may be partly responsible for the meltdowns. He added that it is incomprehensible that all major power stations in the country, including Egbin, Utorogu, Chevron Oredo, gas-fired power stations in Oben, Ughelli and Chevron Escravos, could all shut down at the same time.
> READ ALSO: Why Nigeria's National Grid Collapsed Again - TCN"The collapse of the system may have something to do with the Transmission Company of Nigeria's lack of transmission capacity, inadequate transmission lines and spinning reserves, and refusal to accelerate the construction of digital control centers instead of the company's current analog system," Mr. Bala said in his motion.
Speaking in support of the motion, Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu said the current administration has yet to build capacity that has existed since 2015.
"We talk about unemployment, how can we fix it without stable power?" said Mr. Okechukwu.
At the end of the debate, the House instructed the Energy Committee to investigate the root causes of the ongoing meltdowns and address the ugly trend of preventing future occurrences.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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