Ex–Power Minister proffers comprehensive solutions to Power system collapses
Ex–Power Minister proffers comprehensive solutions to Power system collapses
Frequent power system collapses in the country need a multifaceted approach, says Prof. Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Nnaji highlighted the need for sufficient spinning reserves and the full implementation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to stabilise the national grid.
Nnaji explained that implementing SCADA would significantly enhance fault detection and line patrols, which are critical in maintaining grid stability.
NAN reports that SCADA, a system that monitors and controls industrial processes, uses a combination of software and hardware to collect, analyse, and display real-time data, and can be operated remotely or on-site.
Nnaji identified several key factors contributing to the recurrent power system failures to include tower vandalism, overgrown vegetation along Right of Way paths and issues such as load imbalance and overload.
He also highlighted the importance of network restructuring and the adoption of an embedded generation model, which would reduce dependence on the grid by distribution companies (DisCos).
“The government should encourage DisCos to explore this option through policies and incentives, including ensuring the availability of gas to commercial and population centers across the country,” he said.
As Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Nnaji outlined several critical measures for improving power transmission, including the regionalisation of the grid.
Nnaji said identified the construction of a supergrid on top of the existing 330KV infrastructure, and the continued expansion of SCADA systems to automatically detect network failures and isolate affected areas.
He also called for the reinstatement of the guarantee instrument created in 2011/2012 to support the private sector’s development of new power plants and the expansion of existing ones.
“Government should insist that DisCos honour the terms agreed upon during privatisation, but it should also incentivise them to perform,” Nnaji advised.
He urged the government to ensure adequate gas production at reasonable costs to support power plants, while re-examining the regulated pricing system to ensure its effective implementation by both producers and regulatory bodies.
Nnaji cautioned against the introduction of new fees by government agencies, which could escalate costs under the guise of regulatory purposes.
“The government must focus on the gas transportation network and the contracting regime to ensure fairness and consistency, preventing any dilution of policies aimed at ensuring the availability of gas to power producers,” he said.
On the challenges faced by DisCos, Nnaji attributed their struggles to a lack of investment, which is compounded by poor creditworthiness.
He noted that the sector is severely underfunded and in need of substantial investment to improve operations.
He further emphasised that prepaid metering could help address the problem of estimated billing and metering gaps.
However, he noted that the Presidential Metering Initiative, though helpful, had been slow in its implementation.
“DisCos must invest in new substations to ensure proper load balancing, as it has been done by Aba Power.
“They must also invest in advanced technologies like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to combat energy theft,” Nnaji advised.
According to him, while metering is important, it is not a cure-all for energy theft, as meter tampering by customers remains a persistent issue.(NAN)
News
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
News
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
News
80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State under the amnesty programme of the state government.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Sokoya said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade.
According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.
He said that the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.
Sokoya added that assorted arms, ammunition and other items, were also voluntarily surrendered during the exercise.
He said that these included: rifles, pump-action guns, single-barrel weapons, magazines, ammunition, speed boats, boat engines and other military-related equipment.
The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Paul Alimikhena, described the development as a major confidence-building milestone.
He attributed it to sustained military operations, constructive engagement and effective collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.
He said that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths, and ensuring lasting peace across in the area.
The commander said that the surrendered militants had been handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and were undergoing profiling by the state’s Department of State Services (DSS).
He commended the State Government, under Gov. Bassey Otu, for its commitment to peace and security.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. (NAN)
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