The federal government has promised Nigerians that notmal.electricity supply will be restored within the next 48 hours to 72 hours starting from yesterday (Friday).
While blaming the planned maintenance at Egbin power station, gas supply constraints and sabotage of transmission lines for the ongoing power outages in four states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Joseph Tegbe, minister of power, said affected generating units would return to service in phases, with the first units expected back online within the next 48 to 72 hours.
He stated that the situation had forced grid operators to implement load shedding in some areas to manage the shortfall.
“I am aware of the strain that the current outages have placed on households and businesses in four affected states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory,” Tegbe said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
“Planned maintenance at Egbin Power Station and constraints in gas supply to some thermal power stations have reduced the amount of electricity available on the national grid.”
He attributed the reduced supply in some locations, particularly Lagos, to sabotage of transmission lines.
“Sabotage of key transmission lines has also restricted the use of alternative routes to supply some locations, especially Lagos,” he said.
Tegbe stated that the ministry is working to restore the affected generating units and improve gas supply to power plants.
“My team and I are working to return the affected generating units to service in phases, with the first units coming back online within the next 48 to 72 hours,” he said.
“We are also working with operators to improve gas supply and accelerate repairs to the damaged infrastructure.”
He offered apologies to affected households and businesses and noted that further updates would be provided as power supply improves.
On November 4, the minister directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to address operational challenges responsible for the recent decline in power generation.
The NISO had blamed the decline in available generation to inadequate gas supply to thermal plants and reduced water inflows into hydroelectric reservoirs.
