President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday
inaugurated the rehabilitated Unit 6 and the
overhauled Unit 4 of the Egbin Power Station in
Lagos, which effectively added 240 megawatts
to the national grid and also restored the
power plant to its full capacity of 1,320
megawatts.
With the completion of the projects, the
country’s power generation capacity now
stands at 5,500 megawatts for the first time in
history but actual generation on Saturday was
3,800 megawatts as a result of the recent acts
of vandalism on of the Escravos-Lagos
pipeline network, which supplies gas to some
power stations.
Speaking at the official inauguration of Units 4
and 6 at Egbin, President Jonathan said the
initiative was a major milestone in the
government’s power reform programme.
“The facility introduces not just improvement
in generation capacity of our nation but it is
also a clear representation of the next logical
step in our vision for reliable and qualitative
access to power for our people. Since I
launched the roadmap on power on August
26, 2010 in Lagos, I have been greatly
encouraged at the progress so far towards
reforming the power sector,” he said.
President Jonathan stated that based on the
progress made so far, the country would get
out of the current epileptic power supply very
soon.
He said the fact remained that electricity
would continued to be the catalyst for the
growth of economy, adding that a successful
stabilisation of power would ultimately
improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.
He said the power reform was to actualise the
essence of the Electric Power Sector Reform
Act of 2005, which strives to open up the
sector and bring in the private ownership,
management and financing to the industry,
adding that his administration had laid a
strong foundation for the electricity industry.
“So, for the government, there is no going
backwards. We must actually stabilise power
in our country. Today, the rehabilitation of the
220megawatts turbine has restored Egbin to
its full capacity,” he added
He said the planned rehabilitation of the
remaining four units by the new owners would
increase the lifespan of the power station by
additional 20 years. President Jonathan said
his administration would remain focused,
despite the security challenges, adding that he
would reduce the current excesses of terror
within a short time.
Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Prof.
Chinedu Nebo, said the restoration of Egbin to
its full capacity was the fruit of the President’s
candour, doggedness, tenacity of purpose, and
dexterity of purpose, as well as his
commitment, which has been so unwavering
in the full implementation of the privatisation of
the power sector.
He stated that the country now has the
capacity to generate 5,500 megawatts, adding
however, that vandalism restricted generation
to 3,800 mw as at Saturday.
“Your Excellency, since privatisation, the
power sector has received as it were a new
baton to move Nigeria to the next level of
moving in the direction of uninterrupted power
supply. Your Excellency, since privatisation
and handing over to the private sector,
distribution and generation value chains of the
electricity sector, we have seen an
employment of over 2,000 engineers hired in
the sector. Your Excellency, please remember
that for 16 years before you became President,
the entire power sector in the country under
both NEPA and PHCN did not hire a single
engineer. The level of dilapidation of the
power sector that you inherited was so huge
that it was not only with regards to material
components but also with regards to human
resources. It was also with regards to funding
that was allowed to go so low that it appeared
the power sector had become an orphan,”
Nebo said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of
Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Kola Adesina, said the
event marked the inauguration of Unit 6,
following its successful rehabilitation after
eight years of disrepair and also the
overhauling and retooling of Unit 4.
He described Egbin as the largest power plant
in Africa, comprising six units of 220
megawatts each with a total capacity of 1,320
megawatts.
Adesina further stated that the new owners will
double the capacity of Egbin in the next four
years, adding that the Front End Engineering
Design (FEED) of the additional 1,320
megawatts is being implemented.
According to him, the Egbin Power Plant is so
critical to the nation as it accounts on a daily
basis for about 20 per cent of the power
generated in the country.
He said with the completion of the two
projects, over one million homes in Lagos
would enjoy additional six hours per day of
stable power supply with over 6,000 direct
jobs as well as 10,000 indirect employment to
be created in terms of support and
maintenance services, engineering,
procurement in the power sector
“Mr. President, the unit that you are here to
commission is an example of the benefits that
privatisation of the power sector is bringing to
the nation. The unit broke down in 2006 and
for seven years was not rehabilitated due to
sundry challenges. On handover of the power
plant to us, the new owners –KEPCO and
Sahara Group in 2013, we immediately made
the rehabilitation a priority, culminating in the
completion of the repair works. Recognising
the importance of commerce and industry to
your transformation programme, the Unit 6
output is to be made available under an
innovative bilateral commercial arrangement
to Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution
Companies to help improve power availability
in Lagos and its industrial outlets. We are
indeed leading a new dawn in job creation
within Lagos and its environs and fostering
gains in the gross domestic product of the
economy as well as the reduction in crimes. In
addition to supporting the ideals of a cleaner
and greener state, with reduced use of
generators leading to healthier environment
and improved quality of life,” he explained.
“We have additionally for the first time since
the firing of Unit 4 turbine 30 years, just
completed three weeks ago its overhauling
and re-tooling in order to enhance the control
philosophy,” he added.
It is important at this stage to acknowledge
and salute Mr. President for the audacious
N213 billion CBN intervention fund initiative.
The facility is to help offset legacy gas debts
and address the revenue shortfall in the
sector. We have recruited 107 engineers and
invested heavily in the rehabilitation of the
plant, despite the fact that we have not been
paid,” Adesina added.

www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-s-power-generating-capacity-now-5-500mw/202401/

Jonathan is working seriously in d power section. Indeed he has delivered in his promises to generate uninterrupted power supply.

Haters go and die.

GEJ til 2019.

Nigerians are the architects of their own misfortune.
They cry foul always, but perpetrate in all sorts of social vices.
Vandalising properties to make ends meet while the country suffers.

I didn't even need to read this poo, but I know is a big lie......jona pls fear God o with all this lie u re sharing.....haba.

Nigerians don't understand Megawatt this or that. But we want uninterrupted power supply

I've not had light in my house for the past 4weeks so how is this poo you posted of any help. gej govt is all about paper data without corresponding effect on the life of the citizen

What I need to see is the light. 3hrs of light per day is no improvement

How is power around your area to attest to this claim?
For me, my area is still the same. Darkness.
Minister of power nebo,said its not possible.
Ngozi said they can't fight corruption.
Jonathans keeps forcing him self to Nigerians.
what I can not achieve in 4yrs, even if am given 100 yrs I can not achieve anything....GEJ 2011

SHAME.
5500MW is not enough for Lagos State. Why the FG is not keeping quiet on power is a surprise. Can they not think?. Power is Jonathan fourth failure after corruption, security and refineries.

without gas supply are these power infastructure is useless.
No matter the amount of Mega watt added, gas supply remain a big factor in making POWER SUPPLY A REALITY

Am in Abuja and I fuuucking dnt have light

mr. jonathan na uninterrupted power u promised us nt megawatt.

bankyblue:
I didn't even need to read this poo, but I know is a big lie......jona pls fear God o with all this lie u re sharing.....haba.

If GEJ is a liar, then APC is the father of liars... considering the plethora of lies that APC is feeding Nigerians.

IbnSultaan:
Am in Abuja and I fuuucking dnt have light

Come to UNIPORT then you will know what it is to have darkness.

luvinhubby:

If GEJ is a liar, then APC is the father of liars... considering the plethora of lies that APC is feeding Nigerians.

which one now? list them and let's us read.

ye ye people

oga jonathan has been comissioning power plants yet no change in the light situation. who does he think he is deceiving. suddenly elections close by and phantom power plants are springing up to be commisioned. olodo president

koikoi2:

With the completion of the projects, the
country’s power generation capacity now
stands at 5,500 megawatts for the first time in
history but actual generation on Saturday was
3,800 megawatts

Before you fall victim to PDP falsehood, read the portion above. Capacity is not the same as what is generated.

After years of squandering trillions on naira, PDP are still less than 5000mw.

What the fucck are you saying because I got no fuccking light here.

I live at Area 11, which is, like, 3 miles away from Aso villa, yet electricity is terrible over here. 5,500mw nonsense indeed.

The electricity generating capacity of this country HAS ALWAYS BEEN WAAAYYY ABOVE 6000MW. What is important is the actual generation - But the actual electricity generation HAS ALWAYS BEEN about 4000MW. I don't see anything new here worthy of cheering!
NEXT

still the same darkness here.

Motion on a thread mill.

And I never sleep with Electricity for almost a year in my area?

Forget alll this scam of electricity megawatt and let's face reality 'cos I have been paying more for electricity since the advent of Jonathan administration and the electricity supply is getting worse on a monthly basis.

K

I get annoyed with this gov't sometimes! A few bastards have been vandalising pipelines (purportedly to sabotage the gov'ts power initiatives).....they've been doing this for a couple of years now! But the gov't is yet to catch a couple if these vermin....parade them on TV, and make them confess who sent them! Also, the gov't is still unable to put a halt to this madness!

bankyblue:
I didn't even need to read this poo, but I know is a big lie......jona pls fear God o with all this lie u re sharing.....haba.

mr hater you can take a free visa to libya or somalia.enemy of progress

5,500 since all this years? see this jonathan is a scam. in my area here we have not seen light since friday. i thought immediately after they commisioned those two power stations, they will bring the light. but up till now no light. lagos for that matter o. the last time when professor barth nnaji was the minister. light was very stable and they said the generation was around 4,500 megawatts. now, how come we have 5,500 according to them and we are still in darkness. tired of this jonathan and his nebo crook. why did they pursue nnaji in the first place. all we see now is crazy bill with no light. at least during obasanjos time, no light, we agree, but we pay less bill. now the light is even worse and we now pay outrageous bill. nonsense president.