News
Power Supply Hits 3,330MW As PHCN Targets 3,500 Next Week
The absence of strife in the oil-rich Niger Delta has led to an increase in Nigeria’s electricity supply because gas supplies to power plants have increased, a company spokeswoman said Thursday.
“Power supply is now 3,330 megawatts and we hope to increase it to 3,500 megawatts by next week,” Efuru Igbo of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) told newsmen.
“These 3,300 megawatts for a population of more than 140 million people still remain extremely low, compared to the 43,000 megawatts produced by South Africa for a population a third the size of Nigeria’s.
Five months ago, national power supply was a paltry 1,400 MW, which was far from adequate for Africa’s most populous nation.
Igbo said the past few weeks have seen an improvement in supply of gas to power plants across the country as a result of an end to violence in the Niger Delta, following an amnesty deal proposed by President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Movements active in the Niger Delta have for years attacked oil pipelines and other installations, claiming to represent the interests of the people in the region who do not benefit from the oil income.
In June, President Umaru Yar’Adua decided to offer an amnesty which saw thousands surrender their arms. The main rebel group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, declared an indefinite ceasefire on October 25 to allow talks to go ahead with the government.
At the peak of the unrest, Nigeria, the world’s eighth largest exporter of crude, saw its oil output slashed by a third. Nigeria’s power production dropped to 1,400 MW in June after unidentified attackers blew up a pipeline in the southern oil city of Warri, disrupting gas supply to the Nigerian Gas Company, which supplies PHCN.
Businesses run mainly on diesel-powered generators while most Nigerians go for days, even weeks, without power.
Critics are saying that a government plan to raise power supply to 10,000 megawatts by the end of December is unrealistic.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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