After years of epileptic power supply and national grid collapses, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally dropped the bombshell. A massive East and West Super Grid that will shoot Nigeria’s transmission capacity from a shameful 5,000MW to a monstrous 19,000MW within two years.
The approval was given after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who briefed State House correspondents, said the Super Grid will cut across the northern and southern corridors of the country and will strengthen the fragile existing network to accommodate over 13,000MW of available generation capacity that has been stranded for years.
N1.23 Trillion Paid, More Coming
In a move to stop GenCos from shutting down turbines, Tegbe revealed that the Federal Government has paid N1.23 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion debt owed to power generation companies.
According to him, the debt had crippled GenCos’ ability to buy gas to generate power.
“It’s a step towards building the future in terms of our power assets,” the minister said.
Three Major Transmission Projects Approved
FEC also approved three critical projects for Abuja and Lagos — the nation’s power pressure points.
First, construction of a double-circuit transmission line around Katampe, the major hub in North Central. Second, supply of three massive 300MVA transformers to boost Lagos. Third, reconstruction and upgrade of the 35.6km Lagos-Sagamu 132kV line from single to double circuit.
Shocking Discovery: 300 Containers Rot At Ports For 20 Years
In a shocking revelation, Tegbe said over 300 containers loaded with vital power equipment have been abandoned at Nigerian ports for up to 20 years.
“Those containers are not empty. It’s appalling,” he fumed, adding that President Tinubu has ordered their immediate release in collaboration with Customs and NPA.
He also disclosed that work has started on a new National Control Centre in Osogbo to replace the 64-year-old facility currently in use, and that solar mini-grids of 1-5MW have been energised in 14 federal universities.
For millions of Nigerians tired of darkness, this may be the light at the end of the tunnel.
