Tuesday 26 May 2015

Shiroro power plant suffers system collapse

The already bad state of electricity supply across the country was made worse on Sunday following of a system collapse at the Shiroro Hydro-electric Power Plant in Niger State.
The Shiroro plant has a power generating capacity of 600 megawatts and began operation in 1990.
Our correspondent gathered that the system collapse at the plant happened at about 4.10pm on Sunday.

The system collapse resulted in massive load shedding as allocations to electricity distribution companies from the national grid was seriously reduced.
It was learnt that the power allocation to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company was reduced from about 450MW to 15MW.

Officials of the AEDC stated that the company was left with only 15MW at about 5.05pm, a development that made it to supply electricity to only sensitive installations within the Central Business District of Abuja.

On Friday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, had said power generation nationwide had dropped from about 4,800MW to 1,327MW, leading to the massive load shedding across the country.

In a bulk SMS sent by the AEDC to its customers in the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, the firm explained that the cause of the huge drop in power supply in the region was due to the heavy drop in allocation to it from the national power grid.

The drop, it said, was “from about 450MW daily to less than 200MW in recent times. In fact, our allocation for Friday, May 22, 2015 was 145MW, while both Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 2015, was 115.6MW.

“And the situation has been worsened by the system collapse at Shiroro this evening, which brought our supply down to 15MW.”

Saturday 23 May 2015

Nigerians Brace For Long Fuel Scarcity, Ahead Of Inauguration

IT all started like the normal queues and fuel scarcity Nigerians have been used to over the years, especially following a price hike or strike or threat of it by workers in the oil sector.
But unlike in the past when the queues thinned out over time, particularly when there has been an agreement between the workers and the federal government or denial of impending increase in pump price, the current fuel scarcity is lingering and may persist for some time to come.

Already, the scarcity, which is worsening by the day, following shortfall in supply (importation), compared to demand, has negatively affected all commercial, economic and social activities across the country, which is the seventh largest oil producer in the world. Gradually, the number of filling stations with products to dispense is reducing, with petrol selling between N120 and N200 per litre, depending on location.

Correspondingly, the number of black marketers has increased, with hawkers, including women and teens, found on the major roads.
Similarly, more black market depots have emerged and are thriving, with some filling stations with the product more willing to sell directly to them than customers/end users.
The erratic power supply is putting more pressure on demand for the products, with some Nigerians warning that the scarcity would persist until early June this year, when the oncoming government must have taken over and negotiated with the major importers on new terms and payments.


In Lagos, as in many other parts of the country, most filling stations were barricaded and the few that had products witnessed long queues of vehicles. In some parts, black marketers were cashing in on the situation by selling to desperate customers for as much as N3000 for 10 litres.

The scarcity has forced many car owners to park their vehicles at home, adding to the number of stranded commuters at major bus stops as few commercial vehicles on the road hiked their fares to remain afloat. Surprisingly, the effect of the four-week-old scarcity has also trickled down to how the city is lit at night and reduced noise pollution in most neighbourhoods as only a few generating sets now run at night.

Most areas in Lagos remained in darkness at night as many can no longer get fuel to power their sets or can no longer afford at the current prices which have been increased by about 300 per cent.
The major oil marketers had on Wednesday last week warned that the current scarcity may persist beyond May 29 if the federal government fails to pay their outstanding claims on subsidy. The government is yet to take any decisive decision on the development and it is not clear how the incoming government would handle the delicate situation either.

The Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, had disclosed at a media briefing last week that the outstanding payment on subsidy and interest remained unpaid by government and had led to its members’ inability to import petroleum products in the last few days, warning that the scarcity might persist beyond the handover date (May 29).

“Because of the huge outstanding that we have; because we have not been able to pay back the loan we have taken, because our suppliers are not too confident, we are unable to bring fresh import,” he explained.

Olawore said unless the over N200 billion that the government owes both MOMAN and DAPPMA was paid, the scarcity might remain.
Executive Secretary of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association (DAPPMA), Mr. Olufemi Adewole, also said the federal government owes its members over N200 billion.

As it stands, the scarcity is likely to bite harder in the coming days as the available products are used up.

Source: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/

Monday 16 January 2012

Strike called off as FG reduce oil price to N97!!

Today marks the second d̶̲̥̅̊ά̲̣̥γ̲̣ of the suspension of strike called by NLC/TUC and it also marks the d̶̲̥̅̊ά̲̣̥γ̲̣ the Federal Government reverts it price to N97 from the previous N141 it has set as the benchmark set for fuel subsidy removal.

Labour has also called off the strike called to protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. Its been reported that the nation's airports have also resumed activities and incoming and outgoing flights.

Nigerian Police has said that any protests carried out from today would be deemed illegal and they would be arrested while those calling for A̶̲̥̅̊ change in Government would be arrested for treason.

The Federal Government also ordered the military onto the streets of Lagos and some other states to ensure that there was  breakdown of law and order in the country.

Saturday 14 January 2012

Strike suspension - Day 1: Labour Unions(position) resolve that FG must revert to N65 before negotiations.


Today marks the first day for the suspension of the general strike and its also decision day. A meeting has been called between Labour representatives and the Federal Government to try and reach a resolution.

The question we really need to ask ourselves is that, is it really above subsidy? Well, I believe its mainly about fighting corruption. In the 2011 budget over N200b was budgeted for subsidy payments and by September 2011. Over N1.3t had been spent. The issue is that if the agency (PPRA) in charge of ensuring that products are actually delivered where they are meant to, then the amount would not be this high.

Lets agree that this figure actually represents the figure to be paid for subsidy, then why spend funds that was not budgeted. I believe the Federal Government really wants to resolve this issue once and for all to benefit all Nigerians but the people have shown that they would need more commitment from the side of the Government.

It is hope that a middle ground would be reached soon.

Friday 13 January 2012

Strike Update – Day 5: Labour Unions suspends strike as FG gives condition for N65!!!!





After reaching a deadlock with the Federal Government in negotiations on how to resolve the on going strike in Nigeria over fuel subsidy removal, Labour leaders have decided to call off the strike for Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th January 2012 in order to allow their leaders travel from around the country to Abuja for negotiations with the Government. It requested its members in the aviation industry to allow airlines operate this weekend.

South East/South South Elders have meanwhile said that the current protest against fuel subsidy removal in the country is a smokescreen to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan. 

Unconfirmed reports from www.informationnigeria.org suggests that the Federal Government agreed to revert back to N65 fuel pump price on two conditions. The conditions are as  follows:

·         To revert back to N65 now on the condition that it is completely removed in April 2012
·         To revert back to N65 and withdraw 80% of the subsidy in March 2012, meaning that petrol would sell for N120 if by the 1st of April 2012.

Labour didn’t however agree to any of the options above which is why the strike continued today Friday 13th January 2012 and its has summoned an emergency meeting with its executives for Saturday to brief them on the meeting with the Government.

This is hoping that a speedy resolution will be reached.

Thursday 12 January 2012

Strike Update – Day 4: President Goodluck to meet with Labour today!!

 It has been reported that President Goodluck Jonathan will this evening meet with NLC and TUC leaders to try and find a solution to the current impasse on the removal of fuel subsidy. It is hoped that a position that will favour all will be reached.

The turnout today all around the nation was almost similar the that of yesterday. In Abia State, civil servants refused to turn up for work after a resolution passed by the State house of Assembly asking them to do so.

In Bornu State, the government has imposed a 5pm to 7am curfew in the state to ensure that hoodlums do not take advantage of this period of mass protests.

The Edo State Police command has reportedly arrested over 50 suspected people that robbed the Bureau de Change in Edo State.

Kaduna Sate government relaxes the the 24 hour curfew in the state and is now 1pm to 5pm.

A large group of women joined the protesters in Kano State as thousands marched from the old site of Bayero University down to Kofar Naisa open space. It was reportedly peaceful.

In Ogun state, a large turnout was experienced in Ijebu-Ode and they marched peacefully round the town while violence broke out in Abeokuta as miscreants tried to take over the rally by demanding money from motorists.

In Ekiti State, protesters have vowed to remain at the Fajuyi Memorial Park until government decision on subsidy removal is reversed.

  It is hoped that the meeting between the FG and Labour Leaders will produce a positive outcome.