We Will Generate 5,400Mw by December, Federal Government Promises Nigerians again

Dr Doyin Okupe

While Nigerians are worrying that there has been noticeable reduction in electricity supply in the past couple of weeks, the Federal Government has, once again, come out to assure Nigerians that there will be significant increase in supply of electricity by the end of the year.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while speaking with newsmen during the weekend disclosed that construction work on the Lagos-Ibadan road will commence within the next four to six weeks, just as it said Nigerians would begin to experience uninterrupted light by December, 2012 with plans to generate 5,400 mega watts from the current 4,400 mega watts.

Okupe explained that the 5,400 mega watts target will be achieved following the arrangement by the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, where by December, 1,000MW would be added to the current 4,400 currently available in the country, as against the little above 1,900MW before Jonathan took over.

The presidential spokesperson also debunked insinuations by some critics that power increased because of increase in the water level. He said: “When the President assumed office, the energy capacity of the country at that time ranged between 1,900 megawatts to some 2,200 megawatts. The Independent Power Projects, 10 of them were grounded and nearly moribund, but today Nigeria is generating in excess of 4,400 megawatts of electricity.

“Some cynics have said this is due to high level of water in the hydro generating plants in Shiroro and Kanji. This isn’t true… I can tell you authoritatively that while it is true that every year there is a marginal increase in power supply, because of the increased contribution in the hydro plants, that cannot account for the 15 hours or so that is being currently enjoyed in many parts of the country… The reason for this additional increase is coming from the NIPP that are now adding between 600 and 800 megawatts to the national grid.”