Adequate power supply: Nigeria needs 180,000 megawatts of electricity

FOR Nigeria to overcome the challenge of the epileptic power supply, the country needs not less than 180,000 megawatts of electricity.

This was the submission of the Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, (ANED) Sunday Oduntan, in his remarks at a stakeholders forum with the theme, “Estimated billings, Inability to Provide Pre-Paid Meters, Non Compliance with National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) Regulations and Erratic Power Supply in Ogun State by IbadanElectricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company,” organised by the Ogun State House of Assembly,on Wednesday.

Oduntan urged the Federal Government to improve on the megawatts generation saying power generation is too low.

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The ANED Executive Director said adequate power generation and distribution would remain a mirage except credible and accurate population census is conducted.

He noted that there is corruption in the power sector of the country while commending the present administration for increasing the country’s megawatts to 5,150 the highest in history since 1980.

“Nigeria has no credible population census, and you cannot distribute power without an accurate census. Nigeria needs about 180, 000 megawatts for there to be adequate power supply.

“South Africa with 67 million people generates 48,000 megawatts and they are now even working to increase the generation to 79,000. 5,150 megawatts was the maximum we generated since 1980. Let us be sincere with ourselves, to generate power is expensive. To do 1,000 megawatts, you will need about $1.2b,” Oduntan said.

The Speaker of the House, Honourable Suraj Adekunbi, said the forum was a platform for all various stakeholders, to air their views on the issue of electricity supply in Ogun State.

The Forum was attended by civil society organisations, electricity consumers, representatives of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Ogun State and state government representatives.