- While Nigeria Struggles With Frequent Grid Collapses, South Africa Celebrated Seven Months Of Uninterrupted Electricity-Obi
- TCN Reveals Reasons For Latest Collapse, Says Recovery Ongoing
- Amid Blackouts, DisCos Increase Prepaid Meters Prices By 28%
In what is now becoming a reoccurrence, the Nigerian national power grid has again collapsed.
This marks the 11th collapse in 2024 alone and the second in three days triggering mounting concerns amongst Nigerians.
This development has forced former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi to call on the federal government to proffer lasting solutions to the power crisis in the country.
Obi made the call on his X handle while raising concerns about the ongoing power crisis following another collapse of the national grid.
Speaking on the issue via a statement on Wednesday via X, Obi contrasted Nigeria’s struggles with power supply to South Africa’s recent success in achieving seven months of uninterrupted electricity.
He said, “Again, yesterday the now regular news came that the National Grid had collapsed once again. Just a few days ago, on the 25th of October, South Africa that was the second-largest economy in Africa behind Nigeria until recently, with a quarter of our population, celebrated seven months of uninterrupted power supply.
READ ALSO; Again, National Grid Collapses, Second Time In Three Days
“South Africa generates and distributes about 40,000 MW of electricity, while Nigeria struggles to generate and distribute just 10% of that.”
“Is there any tribe in Nigeria that enjoys uninterrupted power supply like South Africa? I am labelled a tribal bigot. When I ask if any religion enjoys special privileges in this crisis, I am called a religious bigot. But I will continue to speak the truth about our situation today,” he said.
“The fact remains that we are all suffering equally from this failure,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has identified sudden rise in frequency from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz as the cause of the latest National grid collapse on Thursday.
According to a statement by TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, she noted that disturbances at the grid started at approximately 11:29 am Thursday morning.
Mbah said that recovery efforts began immediately, and the Abuja Axis was restored within 28 minutes, adding that recovery is still ongoing.
The TCN further disclosed that the frequency spike was caused by issues encountered at one of our substations, which had to be shut down to prevent further complications.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Nigeria Suffers Another Power Grid Collapse, Plunging Multiple States Into Darkness
The company noted that it is actively engaged in significant repair work on several critical transmission lines and substations.
This includes the 330kV transmission lines along the Shiroro–Mando axis, major upgrades at the Jebba Transmission Substation, and the restoration of the second Ugwuaji–Apir 330kV transmission line.
“Furthermore, following the submission of the investigative report on the causes of previous grid collapses, we have begun addressing the identified weaknesses in the transmission system.
“Efforts are being made to close the gaps highlighted in the report and to enhance the overall stability and resilience of the grid. These efforts include both technical upgrades and strategic interventions based on the committee’s recommendations.
“However, it is important to note that while these repairs and improvements are underway, some degree of instability in the system is likely to persist until all major works are completed. We acknowledge the impact of these disruptions and ask for the understanding and patience of the public during this challenging period,” the statement read in part.
The company said it remains committed to improving the reliability of electricity supply, recognizing the vital role that stable power plays in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
READ ALSO: Frequent Grids Collapse: Atiku Offers Solution
“We assure the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the grid’s long-term stability, in line with the recommendations of the investigative committee, while also addressing infrastructure damage such as vandalized transmission lines,” it added.
In a related development, electricity conumers have taken to social media to voice their displeasure about the recent increase in the prices of prepaid electricity meters by Distribution Companies (DisCos) in the country.
They opined that the increases are all geared towards making the prepaid meters unaffordable in a bid to continue estimated billings.
It will be recalled that electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria recently announced a rise in the price for various electricity meter models, marking the second price hike in four months.
According to the DisCos, the cost of a single-phase meter has risen from approximately N117,000 to as much as N149,800.
This amount marks an increase of 28.03 per cent or N32,800, depending on the distribution company and meter vendor.
The new prices posted on the official X handle of the discos on Wednesday were scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
It also reflects the deregulation of meter asset providers as directed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This upward revision follows an earlier increase in August 2024, further amplifying concerns among electricity consumers about affordability and accessibility.
Reacting to the development, a user Aggrey Tams wrote on Facebook that it is all a plot to continue estimated billings.
“Estimated billing continues because most Nigerians can’t even afford the current price not to talk of 28.03% increase of pre-paid meters”.
On his part, Shina M Ogundipe accused the DisCos of only being interested in estimated billings.
*The are interested in exorbitant Estimated billings period! They don’t want people to be metered. Fraudulent!”
Similarly, Fatima Adejoh Akagu wrote “They are doing this because they know that it’s a bad market for them. Using prepaid meter enabled pay as you use so you can manage consumption. They want to keep harassing customers who can’t afford it with outrageous estimated bills”.
