Blackouts as nine NIPP break down

Etim Effiong

Many areas in Nigeria have been thrown into darkness as nine National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPS) that supply electricity to the national grid have broken down.

The affected plants are those located at Sapele, Afam, Olorunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor while Jebba plant is down for annual maintenance.

Seven other integrated power plants – Geregu, Sapele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omoku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro plant has water management problems.

Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Aaron Artimas on Thursday, said the breakdown has drastically affected power generation, thus affecting supply to the national grid.

“In view of this, the Minister of Power regrets this unfortunate situation and offers his sincere apology to all affected Nigerians on the inconveniences the power shortages are causing.

“He assures that the ministry through the appropriate agencies is working assiduously to rectify the technical problems affecting the plants as well as resolving the gas issues to the others,” it read.

The minister further assured that the national grid will be restored to its previous historic distribution peak of about 5,600MW of electricity achieved earlier in the year.