Buhari floors OBJ, Jonathan in power generation – Fashola

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Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, on Wednesday declared that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari did far better than the previous governments that held sway for 16 years in power sector with generation of 1, 000 Mega Watt (MW) per year since take over.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were among those who ruled the country during the 16 years that Mr. Fashola singled out for comparison.

The minister, who said in a speech at the Nigeria South Africa Chambers of Commerce (NSACC) that the previous government only achieved an average of 250 MW per year, added that the government has begun talks with manufacturers on how to make use of 2000 MW which has been made idle by distribution firms.

The government, he said, achieved “Incremental Generation of 1000MW per year against 4000MW in 16 years which amounts to 250MW per year; Transmission capacity improvement by 666MW per year against 5000MW in 16 years which amounts to 312.5MW per year ; and Distribution capacity improvement by 740MW per year as against 3,000MW in 16 years which amounts to 187.5MW per year,” he said.

“You will also have to compare our plans for tomorrow with the plan of the others, and this takes me to the other part of the topic about PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE,” he added.

According to Fashola, “today I can tell you that by the end of this year another 945 MW will be ready for supply from the following power plants; (i) Azura 450MW (which is finished and producing); (ii) AFAM IV 240MW (which is finished and awaiting commissioning) (iii) Kaduna 215MW (which is undergoing pre-commissioning testing); and (iv) Kashimbilla 40MW (which is nearing completion).

“Between 2019 and 2020 (Q1) Zungeru 700MW, Okpai II 450MW, totalling 1,150MW should come into operation.

“These do not include about 7,000MW of installed but inoperative power plants that are constrained either by Gas supply or transmission capacity or both, about which action is being taken.”

Continuing, the minister said; “It does not include independent power plants now under construction in 9 federal universities with a plan to scale to 37 , neither does it include 15 independent power projects targeting major markets now under construction to power 85,000 shops and small businesses.

“On the transmission side, we have finalized a 10-year transmission expansion plan from 2018 to 2028. We have recovered 690 containers of power equipment abandoned at the Port as part of the legacy of the previous 16 years, and deployed them to the sub-stations they were originally meant for.

“Currently, there are not less than 90 transmission sub-station projects at different stages of construction. This year we have completed a few, and last week we commissioned Damaturu sub-station in Yobe, and Ejigbo sub-station in Lagos will be commissioned today , and so will the Ilase tourist beach in Lagos, which will soon be connected to grid power for the first time in its history.”

On the distribution side, he said; “First let me remind you that all the eleven companies that distribute power were sold to private investors. It is their responsibility, not that of Government to supply distribution equipment like breakers, transformers and meters. So, if there is any problem there, as indeed there are, it is private businessmen who should solve this problem.

“Of course their ability to respond partly depends on what government does. So, to the question what is government doing ? I say: (a)We have 7000 MW of power operationally available but distribution can only take 5000.

“We have engaged with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to offer the rights to take the 2,000MW and enunciated the Eligible Customer Policy for consumers who take up to 2MW and beyond.

 “The policy took effect recently, 5 major industries have connected and we have dozens of new applications being processed; (b)For meter shortages, we have enunciated a policy of licencing Meter Asset Providers, independent of the Discos but who will be supplying their customers. 180 applications have been received.

“Discos are also investing in meters and supplying them. (c)Off-grid supply – we have enunciated a Mini Grid Regulation that allows people to build and distribute up to 1MW under licence, and up to 100kw without licence.

“(d) Distribution Expansion- In order to support distribution equipment capacity, government as a shareholder of the Discos is investing about N72B in distribution equipment at the 33kv and 11kv points of the value chain.

“In summary, incremental capacity is heading in the right direction, we are planning to solve today’s problems, liberalize participation in the sector, and enable private sector undertake the business of generating and distributing power, which it contracted to do with the privatization programme that took place in 2013.

“The prospects for the future are clear, they portray hope, and I am optimistic that today’s problems represent opportunities in the power sector for tomorrow.”

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