Outrage as National grid collapses twice in 24hrs,  8 times in 2024

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) explained that the national grid suffered a major collapse on Monday leaving the nation ina total blackout out

The situation became more worrisome as the grid, which was said tobe undergoing repairs, collapsed again  barely 24 hours after the first incident happened on Monday

TCN in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi MBA, stated, ” TCN hereby states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance, on Monday, 14th October, 2024 at about 6:48pm and notes that efforts to fully recover the grid is still ongoing.

“Although the recovery of the grid commenced immediately, with Azura power station providing the blackstart, grid recovery reached advanced stages at about 10.24am, today when it encountered a challenge that caused a slight setback in the recovery process.

“The slight setback notwithstanding, TCN continued with the grid recovery process, which has reached an advanced stage, ensuring bulk power availability to about 90% of its substations nationwide. Supply has  been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centers nationwide.

“The partial disturbance did not affect the Ibom Gas generating station which was islanded from the grid yesterday, and continued to supply areas in the South Southern part of the country such as Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV transmission Substations during the period.

“Investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out as soon as the grid is fully restored.” The statement read

It was gathered that the latest collapse occurred around 9:17am on Tuesday, plunging many parts of the country into another blackout.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company, in a post via X confirming the system collapse, said, “Dear Valued Customer, Kindly be informed there was a system collapse at 09:17hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power supply is restored.”

Also the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the collapse, highlighting the disruption of power supply across several states.

This is the second grid collapse in less than 24 hours.

A check on the website of the Independent Service Operator, an independent arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria that monitors the transfer of electricity on the power grid, showed that electricity transmission on the grid dropped to 0.00 megawatt by 7pm on Monday, meaning no electricity was transmitted from electricity generation stations to the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country.

The drop was from 3,566 megawatts around 6pm.

Reacting to the incessant collapse of the nation grid

the 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday described  the development as a shame and an indication of leadership failure in Nigeria.

Obi, who called for the reform of Nigeria’s power sector, said the latest collapse has exposed the fragility of the country’s electricity infrastructure.

The former Anambra state governor stated in a post on X, that the latest power grid collapse is emblematic of a leadership and government that had failed to prioritize the welfare and economic well-being of the people.

Obi said: “For the umpteenth time, the national grid has collapsed, plunging a huge part of the nation into darkness and exposing the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

“This recurring disaster is a national shame and a glaring testament to the failure of leadership and policy implementation at the highest levels.

“How long must Nigerians endure a system that fails to provide one of the critical necessities for a productive society?

“We all know the immense importance of power supply to the transformation of our economy. Its support to SMEs, which are the engine of job creation and a major contributor to our GDP, is immeasurable.

“Today, we are the fourth largest economy in Africa, having fallen from the number one position due to leadership failure over the years, including the persistent power crisis, which is critical when compared to smaller economies.

“South Africa, which is now the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of about $400 billion and 30% of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts of electricity.

“Secondly, Egypt, the second largest economy with a GDP of about $350 billion and half of our population, generates and distributes over 40,000 megawatts.

“Algeria, the third largest economy, with about 300B GDP and 20% of our population, generates and distributes over 50,000 megawatts of electricity.

“Nigeria, with less GDP but with more population than the 3 countries combined, generates and distributes less than 10,000 megawatts, and even that is riddled with frequent collapses and crises of failure.

“This disparity in power generation is a reflection of the deep-rooted governance deficit that continue to hold back our growth and potential.

“It is time for urgent, comprehensive reform. Nigerians deserve a government that prioritizes measurable indices of development.”

In a similar development, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) expressed dissatisfaction and outrage over the repeated collapse of Nigeria’s national electricity grid under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 HURIWA, which called for the immediate removal of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the minister has shown high level of “gross incompetence” and is unfit for the role.

“The grid collapse, the seventh and eight since 2024, left millions of Nigerians in darkness, further crippling an already fragile economy.”

Despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Power and other government agencies,

HURIWA emphasized that the repeated collapses have become the norm under the current administration, exacerbating the nation’s economic and social woes.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Tuesday stated that the Ministry of Power has been a revolving door for politicians who consistently fail to deliver results, and Adelabu’s tenure is no different.

“Nigeria has had the misfortune of some of the worst species of politicians posted to the Ministry of Power in the last two decades,” he said.

“Most of them reportedly leave office with one anti-graft case or another, and they consistently fail to provide Nigerians with the electricity needed for industrial and economic growth.”DAILY POST reports that since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has been plagued with recurring power grid failures, with each collapse bringing the nation to its knees.

HURIWA’s statement noted further that the grid has become a fragile pack of cards, crumbling at the slightest challenge. The advocacy group criticized the President for appointing a politician with no expertise in power management to such a strategic role, stating that electricity is the backbone of Nigeria’s economic advancement, small and medium-scale enterprises, and infrastructure development.

“We do not understand why President Tinubu considers it useful to have someone who brings nothing to the table as the Minister of Power

“Electricity powers economic advancement. It drives small and medium-scale enterprises and is the engine of the nation in terms of infrastructure and capacity building.

“Appointing a round peg in a square hole for such a critical ministry is the greatest disservice this government has done to Nigeria.”

HURIWA pointed out that the government’s excuses for the grid collapses have consistently failed to align with the realities on the ground.

“For every failure, explanations of ‘system disturbance’ or infrastructure challenges are trotted out, but there has been no clear action plan to prevent further collapses.

“Historically, Nigeria’s power grid failures have been a recurring nightmare, with the grid collapsing multiple times each year.

“Under President Tinubu’s administration, the trend has worsened. In 2024 alone, the grid has collapsed seven times, worsening an already dire economic situation. Under the current government’s tenure, Nigerians have seen increased power outages, higher electricity tariffs, and little to no improvement in supply,” the organization noted.