Voodoo Statistics about Improved Electricity Generation
The expose by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) on false generation figures being dished out by the federal government is mind-wrenching. For those who have not been following the story, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Tuesday declared as false, government’s claims that power generation had peaked at 7,000MW since President Muhammadu Buhari came into office in May 2015. ANED said further that as at January 2015, Nigeria already had close to that generation figure. It also described as false, the government’s repeated claim that an excess generation of 2,000MW was idle.
Speaking through its Executive Director, Sunday Oduntan, ANED debunked claims of improvement in power generation in the country since Buhari assumed office. “Generation capacity as at January 2015 was 6,421 megawatts (MW) and not 4,000MW as often claimed by the government. Government has largely created more confusion in the operations of the country’s electricity sector, than it had helped it. A review of NERC’s Daily Energy Watch for January 28, 2015 would indicate a generation availability of 6,421MW, divided into peak of 4,230MW and constrained energy of 2,191MW. In other words, it is misleading to state that available generation has grown from 4,000MW in 2015, as a measure of progress, given that a volume of generation slightly under 7,000MW already or previously existed, prior to the beginning of this administration.
“Furthermore, there is no stranded 2,000MW. While there is an available capacity of 7,000MW, the best that can be generated, at this time is 5,000MW. This is because there is insufficient gas to power the thermal plants due to gas line limitations. For instance, the non-completion of the Oben pipeline, and the absence of a commercial framework that would encourage gas exploration are hindering gas supply. This, therefore, shows that very little had actually changed contrary to constant pronouncements by government. It is with much regret that we feel compelled to respond to the significantly distorted picture that has been painted by the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola,” ANED said.
As usual, the government will soon come up with a voodoo response to this grave allegation by ANED. But for how long shall we continue with government of propaganda? Nigerians want stable electricity supply with pre-paid metres in our homes, offices and factories; not bogus stories about improved generation without any impact.