By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Senate has asked the ministry of power to explain the reasons towards the continuous breakdown of power in the country since March/April 2022.
The Senate made this statement on Monday during the committee meeting held with ministry of power at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The Senate committee on power under the chairmanship of the Senator representing Benue north east, Senator Suswam Gabriel Torwua said that the power issues has lingered so much in the country thereby causing problems to the industries and economy even in individual homes.
“I stay in maitama Abuja, for over two or more days, we have not had light and I was wondering why Ghana will be enjoying light and Nigeria will not.
“We want to know what are the major issues surrounding the power failure and what can Government do to help resolve it”. Suswam said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of state for power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu while explaining the reasons for the frequent National grid collapse said the major issue is internal.
The Minister explained that there are weak transmission, generational and distribution problems, sabotage of gas pipeline and vandalization which has resulted to total system collapse.
He affirmed that the gas pipeline affected by acts of vandalism at kwale has been restored and the okpai I power plant in Calabar that was down resumed power generation and started contributing an average of 375mw.
The minister therefore pleaded with the senators to join hands with the ministry in their various Constituencies in sending the messages to the people that the grid serves all and the acts of vandalization can result in grid instability and system collapse.