A section of Nigerians have called on the country’s Minister for Power, Engr Sale. Mamman, to stop what they described as praise singing and empty promises and instead fix the power problems that are making life unbearable in the country.
This came on the back of a tweet by the Power Minister on Wednesday, which sought to assure Nigerians that Buhari’s administration was working to fix the power problems.
In the tweet sighted by energynewsafrica.com, Engr Mamman, said: “In the near future, we, Nigerians, will be able to look back with pride and say the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari fixed and transformed the power sector. We are on the right track.”
However, his tweet attracted criticisms from Nigerians who felt the Buhari-administration was not doing well to address the power problems.
A twitter, Ahmad Shehu Ph.D replied: “Stop the talking and do the work, Mr Minister. You’re not an ordinary citizen and shouldn’t, therefore, spend the data taxpayers bought for you in ranting and unrealistic praise singing.”
Another twitter handler, Engr. Ubongabasi Akpabio said: “What is he actually doing? Because if we want to do a comparative analysis between his regime and that of Goodluck Jonathan, we could boldly say without prejudice that Goodluck Jonathan took more decisive steps towards augmenting power generation, transmission and distribution.”
In the near future, we Nigerians will be able to look back with pride and say the administration of President @MBuhari fixed & transformed the Power sector.
We are on the right track!— Engr. Sale Mamman (@EngrSMamman) September 30, 2020
Nigeria has 12,500 MW of installed generation capacity, being largely dependent on hydropower and fossil (gas) thermal power sources; 12.5% and 87.5% respectively.
However, only 3,500 MW to 5,000 MW is typically available for onward transmission to the final consumer.
NIGERIA ENERGY SECTOR OVERVIEW
Nigeria is the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, but limitations in the power sector constrain growth. Nigeria is endowed with large oil, gas, hydro and solar resource, and it already has the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts (MW) of electric power from existing plants, but most days is only able to generate around 4,000 MW, which is insufficient. Nigeria has privatized its distribution companies, so there is a wide range of tariffs.
Generation Capacity
• Installed Capacity: 12,522 MW
• Thermal: 10,142 MW
• Hydro: 2,380 MW
• Reached Financial Close: 3,034 MW
• Power Africa 2030 Pipeline: 11,750 MW
Connections
• Current Access Rate: 45%
• Rural: 36% Urban: 55%
• Households without Power: 20 million
• Target: Universal access by 2030
• Power Africa New Off-Grid Connections: 454,432
• Power Africa New Grid Connections: 496,723
Source:www.energynewsafrica.com
