Power Outage Expected For Three Weeks As Maintenance Works Are Carried Out On Gas Plants

Beginning from June 2 to June 22, 2014, there will be reduction in power supply to some locations across Nigeria as a result of the shutdown of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Corporation's Utorogu and
Ughelli East gas plants.

According to the Federal Government, the closure of the gas plants would impact the outputs of power generation stations that get their gas supplies from these plants.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the closure of the plants was to ensure their proper maintenance and noted that this would inevitably lead to loss of generated electricity.

Nebo, in a letter made available to our correspondent by the Federal Ministry of Power on Monday, however, stated that the Federal Government had faithfully delivered on the power sector roadmap which had begun to yield visible results in terms of improved supply to
homes and businesses in many parts of the country.

He said, "In line with efforts to consolidate on these successes and ensure delivery on the Presidential mandate of irreversible improvement in all parts of the country, I am publicising the planned closure for maintenance by the NPDC, of its Utorogu and Ughelli East gas plants.

"This will, no doubt have an impact on the output of the power stations fed by these gas plants, which include Egbin and Omotosho among others. The plants, to be shut for short periods of time, on different dates, will, inevitably result in temporary loss of generated power.

"This is regretted, but I assure you all that it will not last longer than the short period needed for the maintenance and re-commissioning work, and our experts will be at work to ensure that available power is distributed in a manner to minimise inconvenience to consumers."

Nebo said adequate power supply remained a focal point of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

This, he said, was constantly receiving priority attention for the purpose of justifying resources spent, and meeting the yearnings of Nigerians and investors for adequate supply for socio-economic development.

He added, "The planned shutdown and re-commissioning works are to take place between 2nd of June and 22nd of June 2014. At the completion of this scheduled maintenance and upgrades, there will be improved gas production and quality from the plants, which will noticeably increase the output of the affected power plants and increase generated power.

"I therefore solicit the understanding, cooperation and support of all, for the duration of the gas plants shutdown, while regretting the inconvenience which it might cause to parts of the country where supply will be temporarily
affected."