Kehinde Fajobi
Following two national grid disturbances that left parts of the country in darkness, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has summoned the leadership of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for an emergency meeting.
The Minister expressed his disappointment with the incidents, stating they could undermine recent achievements in power generation and distribution.
“This is capable of rubbishing the giant strides made in the last one year, which has led to an increased generation and distribution of 5,527 megawatts, a record in three years,” he said.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Adelabu has set up a forensic investigation committee. This committee has been tasked with advising the government on how to make the national grid more robust and reliable, complementing ongoing efforts such as the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) and the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP).
The committee will also investigate the root causes of the grid failures, including the possibility of sabotage.
Additionally, it will conduct a thorough review of the grid’s stability and identify the necessary investments and technical expertise to make the system smart and resilient.
A technical team has already been deployed to assess critical points on the grid and identify vulnerabilities. Their goal is to recommend solutions to prevent future disruptions.
The six-member investigation team will be led by Engr. Nafisat Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator (ISO).
Other members include Dr. Chidi Ike, Commissioner of NERC; Engr. Ishola, General Manager of the National Control Centre (NCC); Engr. Emmanuel Nosike, Director of Transmission at the Federal Ministry of Power; Engr. Ali Sharifai, General Manager of the Transmission Service Provider (TSP); and Mr. Adedayo Olowoniyi, Chief Technical Adviser to the Minister of Power.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to Minister Adelabu by November 1, 2024.