LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The current electricity generation capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) in Nigeria falls far short of meeting the needs of its over 200 million population, according to the General Manager of Shiroro Transmission, Bala Musa.
Musa also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the power sector, attributing frequent grid collapses to vandalism by miscreants.
Musa outlined the structure of the power sector, distinguishing its functions into three main categories: generation, transmission, and distribution.
He clarified that while generation and distribution have been privatized, transmission remains the sole asset under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
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“The way we used to live before when power was under the Federal Government is not the way we are now under privatisation policy. Private individuals are there to make profit,” Bala said.
However, he emphasised the urgent need for improvement in the power sector, which necessitates adequate funding.
Musa expressed regret over the initial state of privatization, foreseeing continued challenges in Nigeria’s quest to address power supply issues in the coming years.
He emphasised that a population of over 200 million people cannot rely on just 4,000 megawatts of electricity.
“That is why most of the factories and industries that are supposed to be in Nigeria have left for other destinations, leading to youth unemployment.
“To bring back the lost glory of Nigeria that was known in the 1970s, we should work on the power sector. We need more generation, more transmission lines as well as more distribution equipment. Then the citizenry should be patriotic to be paying electricity bills. With these, supply will improve,” he added.