Nigeria increases electricity output but still "much to be done"

• 13 years ago (2010-11-30)
• Junior Isles

Africa 320 North America 1021

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The Nigerian government has said the ongoing rehabilitation works on five power stations across the country will further increase power generation by May 2011. The government confirmed that the expected addition of 978 MW will put the total output at 3978 MW. The five power stations include Kainji, Geregu, Sapele, Delta and Egbin.

Mr. Nuhu Wya, the Minister of State for Power, also said that although a lot had been achieved to boost power generation in the country, more work still remains.

"Much has been achieved; but so much more remains to be done. The reality is, in order to tackle the scale of the challenge we face, the truly hard work remains ahead of us. Closest in our minds at the ministry is the ongoing rehabilitation at Kainji, Geregu, Sapele, Delta and Egbin power stations. We hope to increase generation by a further 978 MW, which will come on stream in the next six months," he said.

Wya, however, stated that the Federal Government had significantly increased the generation and transmission of power in the past few months. He pointed out that last August, Nigerian power generation reached its highest peak in its recent history of over 3800 MW.

He further commented, “...this is not just a number hidden in a report sitting on a shelf. The public has felt this improvement," adding that, "in a recent poll, about 90 per cent of the people noticed the positive change in power supply."

"At long last, supply to consumers is still stabilising and increasing across time. However, now is certainly not the time for self-congratulation," he concluded.