The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has said it would soon begin a comprehensive digitalization training programme for youths across the country.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says industrial action within the gas supply chain resulted in  reduction in power generation by more than 1,100MW on Sept 28.

According to NISO’s Management in a statement in Abuja yesterday, available generation in the National Grid fell sharply from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sept. 28, to about 3,200MW at the lowest point.

“NISO wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the National Grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

“These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW in the early hours Sept. 28th  to about 3,200 MW at the lowest point”’it said.

NISO said that the development heightened pressure on the grid, prompting emergency measures to stabilise supply and avert a nationwide blackout.

”To mitigate the crisis, the system operator said that it ramped up generation from major hydropower stations, injecting over 400MW to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

The agency  said that  it also implemented real-time load adjustments, frequency support measures, and selective load shedding to preserve operational security.

NISO said it promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National Grid. Key interventions which include

“Hydropower Optimisation: Strategic ramp-ups from major hydro stations, contributing over 400 MW of additional output to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

“Generation Dispatch and Load Balancing: Real-time load adjustments to match available generation with system demand, while preventing a system frequency collapse.

“Voltage and Frequency Support: Continuous deployment of reactive power compensation and reserve monitoring to safeguard system integrity.

“Demand-Side Management: Selective load shedding, applied as a last resort, to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution,”it said.

According to NISO, these timely actions enabled the it and National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.

The system operator however reaffirmed its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation”.

The Tide source reports that PENGASSAN attributed its latest action to Dangote Refinery’s alleged unilateral action in sacking over 800 staff members for joining the Association.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN held an emergency meeting of all its branches on Saturday, and resolved that members should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday..

The Tide source reports the federal government has waded into the face-off between the Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN .

A meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, underscored two recent developments, including the purported suspension of the Naira-for-Crude oil arrangement by the Dangote Refinery, and the concerns raised by PENGASSAN regarding the refinery.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has waded into the conflict between the authorities of Emohua Local Government Area and its workers following the alleged sack of 300 workers which resulted in a protest and impending strike by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE.

The  governor who held a closed door meeting with the Chairman of Emuoha LGA, Hon Chidi Lloyd, the Local Government Service Commission and Leadership of NULGE in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, directed that the parties involved in the conflict should meet and resolved the issues at stake amicably.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Mr Israel Amadi, thanked the governor for his timely intervening into the matter which would pave the way for fruitful resolutions of contending issues.

“We had a fruitful deliberations concerning the pending strike action with His Excellency. And His Excellency has given his mandate and we want to use this opportunity to thank him for intervening.”

“We hope that everything that we have discussed and resolved will be implemented as we also thank NULGE for their collaboration and cooperation”

On his part, Rivers State NULGE President, Comrade Clifford Paul,

said the governor’s directives would be heeded by all affected parties, and directed State officers to call off the strike.

“We are here to meet with His Excellency as regards this strike action relating to Emohua Local Government. We have resolved and he has directed that this matter be handled harmoniously.”

“So, on behalf of the State Council of NULGE, I enjoin all our members to resume work. All the branch chairmen and the State officers are hereby directed to call off the strike”

Also briefing the press, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, thanked Governor Fubara for his prompt intervention.

“I have to in a very special way thank the Governor of Rivers State for his intervention in what would have been a disagreement between NULGE and Management of Emohua Local Government Area.

“The governor has issued very clear directives and we are all on the same page. He has further directed that the Council and the Local Government Service Commission should take it further.”

“We will come out very soon with all that we have agreed. I also thank the President of NULGE for appealing to his workers to call off the strike.

“We will move forward, it is nothing personal, we just want to ensure transparency in the system. I want to commend the governor for being on the side of transparency.”

It could be recalled that distraught workers had barricaded the Emuoha LGA Secretariat in protest against the non-payment of their salaries by the Council authorities.