Three finished gas-fuelled power stations are unable to generate electricity because Nigeria has sold all its gas for export, the president said.
These deals with international oil companies would have to be renegotiated over seven years, he added.
“It is only now that the nation realises the critical importance of gas to the national economy,” the president said.
All the multibillion dollar power projects initiated under former president Obasanjo’s integrated power project would need natural gas to work. Even if they are all completed by this year - which will be a wishful thinking - they will not be functional until 2015!
The only alternative is to increase production of natural gas, or export. Both options are not really feasible.
Even though very few things make sense in Nigeria, this tops the list!
So are Nigerians going to fold theirs arms for the next seven years, and remain contended living in darkness?
There must be other workable options - like converting biomass and domestic waste to energy. A nation of 140 million must be generating tons of refuse - we should use it! There are Nigerians who know how to make it happen!
Nigeria’s power problem have taken a leap from bad to worse!
Obasanjo spent billions in shaddy power station deals, then his predecessor informs Nigerians that there is not even enough natural gas for the stations!
“Confusion don break bone!”
May 29, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I don die! There is no point thinking about Naija any more, this is the last straw for me. Our illness has defied all treatment - straight to hospice!
May 30, 2008 at 12:05 am
This is sad news. The Nigerians in diaspora may not fully understand the pains those of us at home are passing through because of epileptic or non-existing power supply!
For more than 5months now, our little organization has been running a petrol generator for an average of 12hours daily to keep the office powered. The cost is approximately $20 per day. That is a cost that could have been avoided if only the government will play their role well. Now, they have come out with a very terrible news!
This news coming from the President is so demoralizing. It is a big shame. I am quite shocked! May God help us out.
May 30, 2008 at 11:21 am
Tony, even though I’m not in Nigeria I have relatives there and very much in touch. I also experience the anguish of Nigerians when I make my yearly pilgrimage home. I understand the frustrations of the situation in Nigeria. And I agree it is demoralizing.
However, the president ought to have given more insight on his plan to achieve 10,000 MW electrical output by 2009. Output is about 2000MW or less at present, and given the unavailability of natural gas and the lousy state of the power plant projects started by his predecessor, it will take close to a miracle to increase output about 5 folds in less than 24 months!
Segun & Taiwo - Nigeria needs to focus on alternative fuel for new power plants. The power needs to be more deregulated to allow the private sector come in and make things happen. We need to think more of biomass, solar and small scale hydropower as alternative sources, and open the door to local and state governments to tap into the opportunities in their regions.
May 30, 2008 at 5:42 pm
@Imnakoya
My outburst is not an accusation. I am just voicing out the kind of frustration we are experiencing down here at home. I agree that many Nigerians in diaspora are very much in touch with the situation at home. However, I still insist that we down here are the ones that really know the intensity of the pain.
I agree with you totally, that until the Government allow the private sector to GENERATE AND DISTRIBUTE electricity, this crisis will continue. I can imagine where we would have been if NITEL was allowed to continue with its monopoly in the communication sector.
I am quite grateful for those of you that has not written off Nigeria as a hopeless case. You may feel that your contributions amounts to little, but I tell you the truth, at least someone down here stumbling on a word of encouragement from those outside will surely feel better.
Also, the power of the written word is tremendous. You never know who will read your write-up and get angry enough to make at least a little change.
Thanks for sharing your thought. It’s been a pleasure reading your write-ups. Cheers.
May 31, 2008 at 3:34 am
[...] Domestic waste disposal is a pain - any African knows this. Lagos state alone generates some 4,000 ton daily. Yet waste can be converted to electrical energy, a commodity lacking across Nigeria. [...]
June 4, 2008 at 2:43 pm