Power minister may be overburdened, as electricity supply drops

As perennial shortage of electricity supply continues, Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, has come under severe public criticism with majority suggesting that the problem persist because the minister is overburdened.

“The electricity sector is essential for economic development. Power should be made a ministry of its own. Fashola can’t do it all,” said Jaiyeola Oluwaseyi, who commented on social media.

Blackout across the country reached a new low on Wednesday, as data from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator (NESO) as well as senior sources of various electricity companies confirmed that power generation dropped to 1,580.6 megawatts. The drop was partly attributed to a system collapse at the Shiroro Power Plant on Tuesday.

According to the NESO data, by Wednesday 9.48am, Ikeja Electric, was getting only 237.09MW; Eko, 173.87MW; Abuja, 181.77MW; Benin, 142.25MW; Enugu, 142.25MW; Ibadan, 205.48MW; Kano, 126.45MW; Jos, 86.93MW; Port Harcourt, 102.74MW; Yola, 55.32MW, and Kaduna, 126.45MW.

Issues of vandalism and ruptured pipelines have continued to be the bane of efficient electricity supply and distribution in Nigeria. The fuel scarcity that has returned to states across the federation is a consequence of gas pipeline vandalism that has picked up once again in the Niger Delta.

Similarly, service disruptions over unresolved labour disputes also contribute to the problem of generation. Recently, labour unions picketed the facilities of IKEDC over the purported sacking of 400 workers. Only on Wednesday oil workers embarked on a full-scale industrial action over the restructuring in NNPC. The strike was averted the following day after top management of the institution held a meeting with the leaders of the aggrieved workers.

Many Nigerians lately are looking beyond the usual challenges and are of the opinion that the lumping of three ministries under one minister may be majorly the reason the sector is facing this turn in fortunes. From a peak of 3.207MW on Tuesday, generation crashed to 1,233 the same day.

“I think Fashola should have been given one ministry to handle. Power in itself is the mainstay of a nation just like petroleum and agriculture,” said Iyoyo Tamunofiri.

Oliver Uzoaga, another commentator, also agreed that “Electricity needs critical attention, our roads and housing sector needs critical attention. Fashola can’t do it all.”

In an attempt at parody, Debola Debbie weighed in, “If there is anything that really needs unbundling in this country, it is Mr. Fashola’s ministry.”

Some commentators out rightly questioned his merit to lead the power sector. “Fashola should never have been heading power in the first place. We don’t need a SAN at this stage of our energy development,” said Dika.