The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, has reassured Nigerians that the current electricity supply disruptions, caused by a temporary shortfall in power generation, will be promptly resolved. His statement comes after a meeting held on Tuesday with key power sector stakeholders, including the Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Power Generation Companies (GenCos), and Power Distribution Companies (DisCos).

According to Mr. Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications to the Minister of Power, the disruption was a result of an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline (ELP), further exacerbated by acts of vandalism targeting critical gas infrastructure. These incidents led to significant interruptions in gas supply to thermal power plants across the country.

Repairs Underway, Power Supply Expected to Resume Soon

During the meeting, stakeholders confirmed that repair works on the damaged pipelines were already underway and would be completed within 24 to 48 hours. This will allow for the restoration of gas supply to the affected power plants.

The Minister directed all relevant agencies to work quickly to ensure that the repair timeline is met. The NISO also provided an update, informing the public and sector stakeholders that the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transportation Company (NGPTC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was actively addressing the situation.

Cause of the Shortfall: Pipeline Explosion and Vandalism

The explosion on the ELP and the ongoing acts of vandalism in the Niger Delta have significantly reduced the volume of gas available for power generation. This led to a drop in electricity output from several gas-fired power plants, which in turn caused a shortfall in the national grid’s available power supply.

The Minister acknowledged the inconvenience caused to households and businesses, emphasizing that the situation is temporary and linked directly to the gas supply disruptions.

Urgency of Restoring Power Amid Increased Demand

Minister Adelabu stressed the importance of restoring gas supply swiftly, especially with the increased demand for electricity during the Yuletide season. Preliminary investigations have confirmed that the shortage in gas supply was caused by the explosion and vandalism on critical pipelines.

“We understand the frustration this has caused Nigerians, especially during this time of the year. However, I assure you that the federal government is working tirelessly to resolve the issue,” Adelabu said.

Long-Term Solutions and National Security

While focusing on immediate restoration efforts, the Minister also highlighted the federal government’s commitment to long-term solutions. These include diversifying the nation’s energy mix, strengthening the resilience of the national grid, and deploying advanced surveillance technologies to protect critical infrastructure from future attacks.

Adelabu urged communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around power and gas facilities to security agencies, stressing that protecting the country’s infrastructure is a collective responsibility.

Government’s Commitment to Stable Power Supply

Despite the current challenges, the Minister expressed confidence that power generation would gradually return to normal levels within the next 24 to 48 hours. He reaffirmed the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to providing stable, reliable, and sustainable electricity to power homes, industries, and the broader Nigerian economy.

“We are treating this issue with the utmost seriousness, and we will continue to work round the clock to ensure that power supply is fully restored,” Adelabu concluded.