With the usually-epileptic electricity supply in Nigeria going from bad to worse in the past three weeks, the federal government has sent three top officials of the power sector on compulsory leave, the private Punch newspaper reported Tuesday.
Those involved are the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Akinwumi Bada; Market Operator, TCN, Mr. Uzoma Achinanya; and Executive Director, Human Resource, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Mr. Muyiwa Olushoga.
Minister of Power Bart Nnaji announced the measure at a meeting in the capital city of Abuja Monday.
He also announced the appointment of Mr. Shola Akinniranye as the new Managing Director of TCN, and Mr. Evarestus Mogbo as the new Market Operator.
“A few persons are internally trying to tinker with the system. We are dealing with them. We are going to vigorously pursue any hindrance to supply and clean up the system.
“There are some people who do not want progress in the country. We need to manage these issues. We are making adjustments in the management of the 18 successor companies and PHCN,” the Minister said.
“There will be a major adjustment. We have no choice than to do this so that the country can move forward. The quality of management is essential in moving the sector forward. We cannot continue to have swings in power. We want this to change,” he added.
The normally-poor power situation in Nigeria has become worse in recent times due to the flooding of the country’s main hydro power plant and poor gas supply to some power plants, among other problems, which have led to a 1,000-megawatt drop in power generation.
PANA reports that at the best of times, Nigeria generates about 4,000MW, said to be largely inadequate for the country’s 160 million people.
By comparison, South Africa generates about 40,000MW for a population that is about one third of Nigeria’s.
