Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have begun investigations into the the frequent collapse of the national grid in order to proffer a lasting solution to the menace.
This was sequel to a motion by Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) during plenary on Wednesday, February 28.
The lawmaker argued that sustainable energy is essential to any modern economy, saying that Nigeria is no exception.
Osawaru stressed that a stable electricity supply ensures that industries remain viable, power homes, and facilitates significant economic growth and industrial progress;
While commending the plan of the federal government to increase power capacity to 20,000 megawatts (MW) from 12,522 MW projected within the next three years, he said the Electricity Act, 2023, is aimed at addressing the persistent challenges in the power sector, harnessing new opportunities, as well as propel Nigeria toward a future of reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply.
Quoting the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in August 2023, he said the Nigerian power grid recorded an unparalleled period of stability in the history of the power sector by operating without major disruptions or systems collapse for over 400 consecutive days.
He said this milestone indicates an advancement in the nation’s efforts at strengthening its power infrastructure, ensuring a reliable electricity supply to distribution load centres for onward distribution to electricity customers nationwide.
He expressed concern that in a space of one week in August 2023, Nigeria recorded three national grid collapses, with the national grid collapsing twice within 6hrs and on 19 August 2023, another system collapse was recorded.
He said frequent grid collapses this year have negatively impacted the economy, reducing industrial output and raising manufacturing expenses.
He noted that firms are forced to invest in alternate power sources, thus, raising operational costs and leaving end users with exorbitant prices, which citizens cannot afford, especially with subsidy removal effects.
He said the nation is currently facing its worst form of insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, saying the collapse of the national grid will embolden criminal activities and security facilities such as the Vigiscope App, and Police Situation Room App.
He said all police command control rooms can be compromised during the dark hours, and tracking devices that need the power to reach telephone lines can be hampered.
He said if the frequent national grid collapses are thoroughly investigated and solutions proffered, it will end the continuous system collapse, boost the economy, and reduce the suffering of the citizens
