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Need For Sustainable Power Supply

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The problem of poor power supply in Nigeria has been terribly lamentable  and the situation seems to have defied  all efforts by previous governments since in the 80s. one is tempted   to now  ask what  the present  administration under President Goodluck Jonathan can do to salvage  the country from the ugly trend.

From on-set, the Federal Governemnt has been matching words with action on how better to improve the power sector by ensuring that the mega watt rose to 150 from less than 50, even within the short period of this present dispensation. This was after the Chief executive officer of Olornrisogo Power Station was redeployed to the headquarters for efficiency.

The redeployment followed the warning by the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji that all managers of the different sections of the utility company –Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), from generation, transmission to distribution should either sit up or be prepared to be booted out. Nnaji first had a meeting with the Chief Executive officers of the different sections of the utility’s value chain when he stressed the need for them to show commitment to duty to give Nigerians the long expected power supply.

Although he agreed that the sector had suffered grave or gross neglect in a couple of decades ago, particularly under the military    administration, he was optimistic that if the capacity Nigeria currently has fully utilized, there would be considerable improvement in power delivery. The question now is, who is the cause of Nigeria’s predicament in the power sector. Is it the government or the authorities of the utility company?

With the efforts so far made by the government, one would think that the utility firm, PHCN is to be held responsible for the incessant epileptic power supply in the country. The helmsmen of the company just as the former  Nigeria Electricity Power Authority (NEPA), feel that their duties and at coming to defend  their budgets and collecting electric bills and  share same among themselves  and  sit back and seek frivolous reasons to justify spending such funds without practical evidence on ground.

Unlike in the past when all the funds that come to the different sections of PHCN pass through the headquarters, the CEOs of the different units currently go to government to defend their annual budgets and spend the money according to their discretions thereby and up at not utilizing the money to provide constant electricity for the people. Some utilize the money in providing poor service leaving undone what the money is meant for.

However, the Chief executive officers saw that it was no business as usual when the minister clamped down on four of their colleagues and that the ministry didn’t come to the combat in child’s gloves. Although, ever since that was done, the situation changed in terms of power supply but a lot needs to be done.  The minister needs to tour all the power facilities across the country including the South-South and Port Harcourt in particular to see for himself or have a practical feel of what the people of the area are suffering. All is not well with the PHCN formations across the country and for the Niger  Delta region that produces the bulk of the nation’s wealth, special attention should be paid to give the a sense of belonging and to compensate  them for the  long neglect.

The minister should extend his “Capacity Recovery” to Rivers State because from the look of things lack of commitment and human errors account for considerable power failure in the state. There is need to ensure sustainable electricity supply in Rivers State considering its population and economic contribution coupled with the fact that sustainable and successful business is bi-product of constant electricity supply.

An auto manufacturing company could not be built in Nnewi, Anambra State because of poor power supply in the country. According to the Minister of Power, his efforts as a key player in the do were fruitless as the planned power supply.

In a paper he presented during the 20th anniversary of Anambra State Nnaji said “it was the fledging auto industry in Nnewi which inspired me in the late 1990s to take steps to establish in Nigeria a state-of-the-art company to manufacture auto parts including engines, when I was the ALCOA foundation Professor of Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Pitts burgh”.

The only way to attract investment to Nigeria is for the government to ensure steady and uninterrupted electricity at all levels. The country is blessed with all kinds of natural resources which can attract foreign investors but because of the non-availability of uninterrupted electricity, investors are scared.

Most investors after carrying out feasibility study of the kind of investment they intend to bring into the country will end up being deterred because of the huge, cost of acquiring and fueling a generating plant that would be able to power their investment. Reports have shown that everyday industries and other manufacturing concerns are collspsing and unemployment rate rising as investors are not willing to come and do business in the country because of lack of sustainable power supply.

Sadly, an average Nigerian home spends more than the N18,000 minimum wage  which is yet to be paid, a month to power its generator  to have power. Much of the economic undevelopment in the country today is because of lack of power, at trend all patriotic Nigerians must not allow to continue. This power has risen to a point that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and all the state governors should make steady power supply their one-point agenda and do everything humanly possible to ensure that this is achieved before the end of 2012.

Obviously, the government at federal and state levels should partner with other stakeholders or establishments in ensuring that the power problem becomes a thing of the past because until  that is done, no matter how much we spend  on jingles and advertisements in the local and foreign media to woo investors to come and invest here, it will continue to be a mirage.

Ghana and other industrialized countries did not advertise in international media before virtually multinational and local companies were attracted to invest there. The issue of power supply is however, over-flogged because it is the main key to industrialization and  self-reliance in any country and any country without steady electricity remains impoverished with its people.

It has become necessary to suggest that Nigerian governments should send delegations to China and other countries and engage energy companies that will give the country steady power supply so that we can become economically viable, as that is the only way to generate to generate employment for our teeming youths.

In pursuance of its regulatory functions, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in collaboration with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has approved standards and guidelines for the issuance of clearance certificates for importers of generating sets and broken-down parts. This is to ensure that all generating sets to be imported into the country meet all the approved standards and quality and to stop the indiscriminate importation of generating sets into the country.

There has been little or no difference in the state of power supply in the country since the power reform was initiated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s government in 2005. This is why the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has embarked on a process of consulting with stakeholders over the need or otherwise to increase electricity tarriff in the country. Chief executive officer of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, at a workshop on major Review of the Multi-year Tarriff Order (MYTO) urged the shareholders to be objective over the review process, noting that “public power supply in the country is still a standby in most homes and offices, as it was in 2005 when the reform in the power sector began.”

If we must achieve the goal of giving every citizen access to stable, reliable and fairly priced electric power, a reliable and sustainable framework must be put in place to ensure the robust interaction of market forces with social policy to attain equilibrium. This we can do by establishing a pricing regime that will sustain massive private sector investment and guarantee a positive return on investment, while also being fair to underprivileged consumers.  The power industry is characterized by lack of a transparent price determination process and abysmally low tariffs, all based on the political whims and considerations of the PHCN, as opposed to the economic principle of full cost recovery.

Shedie Okpara

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Nigeria Loses More Crude Oil Than Some OPEC Members – Nwoko

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Nigeria’s losses due to crude oil theft has been said to be more significant than those of some other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC).
The Chairman, Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Senator Ned Nwoko, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Nwoko noted with dismay the detrimental impact of the issue, which, he said include economic damage, environmental destruction, and its impact on host communities.
According to him, the theft was not only weakening the Naira, but also depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District described the scale of the theft as staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day.
Nwoko disclosed that the ad hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft, which he chairs, recently had a two-day public hearing on the rampant theft of crude oil through illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and the systemic gaps in the regulation and surveillance of the nation’s petroleum resources.
According to him, the public hearing was a pivotal step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
‘’Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft. This is severely undermining our economy, weakening the Naira and depriving the nation of vital revenue needed for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social development.
‘’The scale of this theft is staggering, with reports indicating losses of over 200,000 barrels per day more than some OPEC member nations produce.
‘’This criminal enterprise fuels corruption, funds illegal activities and devastates our environment through spills and pollution.
‘’The public hearing was not just another talk shop; it was a decisive platform to uncover the root causes of crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
‘’It was a platform to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms; Identify regulatory and legislative gaps that enable these crimes to thrive.
‘’It was also to engage stakeholders, security agencies, host communities, oil companies, regulators, and experts to proffer actionable solutions; and strengthen legal frameworks to ensure stricter penalties and more efficient prosecution of offenders”, he said.
Nwoko noted that Nigeria’s survival depended

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Tap Into Offshore Oil, Gas Opportunities, SNEPCO Urges Companies

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Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) has called on Nigerian companies to position themselves strategically to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in upcoming offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
The Managing Director, SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, made the call at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) Conference, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last Thursday.
Adams highlighted the major projects, including Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North, and the Bonga Main Life Extension, as key areas where Nigerian businesses can grow their capacity and increase their involvement.
“Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.
“Projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life Extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts”, Adams stated.
Adams noted that SNEPCo pioneered Nigeria’s deepwater oil exploration with the Bonga development and has since played a key role in growing local industry capacity.
He emphasized that Nigerian businesses could expand in key areas like logistics, drilling, and the construction of vital equipment such as subsea systems, mooring units, and gas processing facilities.
The SNEPCO boss explained that since production began at the Bonga field in 2005, SNEPCo has worked closely with Nigerian contractors to build systems and develop a skilled workforce capable of delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget both in Nigeria and across West Africa.
According to him, this long-term support has enabled local firms to take on key roles in managing the Bonga Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which reached a major milestone by producing its one-billion barrel of oil on February 3, 2023.

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Administrator Assures Community Of Improved Power Supply

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The Emohua Local Government Area Administrator, Franklin Ajinwo, has pledged to improve electricity distribution in Oduoha Ogbakiri and its environs.
Ajinwo made the pledge recently while playing host in a courtesy visit to the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, in his office in Rumuakunde.
He stated that arrangements are underway to enhance available power, reduce frequent outages, and promote steady electricity supply.
The move, he said, was aimed at boosting small and medium-scale businesses in the area.
“The essence of power is not just to have light at night. It’s for those who can use it to enhance their businesses”, he said.
The Administrator, who commended the peaceful nature of Ogbakiri people, urged the Chiefs to continue in promoting peace and stability, saying “meaningful development can only thrive in a peaceful environment”.
He also charged the Chiefs to protect existing infrastructure while promising to address the challenges faced by the community.
Earlier, the Oduoha Ogbakiri Wezina Council of Chiefs, led by HRH Eze Goodluck Mekwa Eleni Ekenta XV, expressed gratitude to the Administrator over his appointment and pledged their support to his administration.
The chiefs highlighted challenges facing the community to include incessant power outage, need for new transformers, and the completion of Community Secondary School, Oduoha.
The visit underscored the community’s expectations from the LGA administration.
With Ajinwo’s assurance of enhancing electricity distribution and promoting development, the people of Oduoha Ogbakiri said they look forward to a brighter future.

By: King Onunwor

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