Photograph — www.reddit.com

If you are familiar with Nigeria or stay in Nigeria, then you should know what I Better Pass My Neighbour (IBPMN) stands for.

For decades, the power situation in Nigeria has been a major cause for concern. The epileptic power supply throughout  the nation has hindered the growth of the manufacturing sector and, subsequently, prohibited the development of the country.

Since the start of the current administration, no significant positive change has occurred within the power sector. In fact, the power situation in the country seems to have worsened this year.

In addition to the ongoing economic issues plaguing the country, the power issue in the country has also bitten Nigerians hard. Earlier in the year, the National Electrical Regulatory Commission (NERC) decided to increase electricity tariffs without a corresponding improvement in electricity supply. Even citizens without electricity recording meters were presented with ridiculously expensive bills for the power they neither received nor consumed. Surprisingly, regular Nigerians do not face these issues alone as the Distribution Companies (DisCos) and Generation Companies (GenCos) are also stuck in this rut.

Just last week, the top six GenCos providing the country with electricity (Egbin Power Limited, Transcorp Power, Shiroro, Kainji/Jebba, Sapele, and Geregu) announced that they would shut down their power plants operations if the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), refuses to pay its N156 billion debt to them.

According to the statement released by the GenCos, they are unable to access gas supplies or repair their networks. The NERC on another hand has not been able to meet their revenue projections made before they increased the tariffs because power generation has dropped.

GAS

From the above graph, it is evident that power and gas supply fell at the same time, largely because Nigeria is very dependent on gas in power its thermal generating power plants. This means that the larger the amount of gas available the more the electricity the country will have. With the current spate of attacks by pipeline vandals and Niger Delta Militants on gas pipelines as well as the force majeure announced by oil and gas companies regularly, it could be very difficult for the electricity situation to improve anytime soon.

On the other hand, some areas in Nigeria are experiencing improved power supply, however, this is largely due to the power being generated from the hydro dams as a result of rainfall. Once the wet season is over and the Niger Delta militant attacks do not stop, the country may be thrown into total darkness.

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