The power generation in the country has again fallen below 1,000 megawatts, the Miniser of Energy (Power), Hajiya Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim, said yesterday.

Ibrahim said the federal government was worried by the low water level in the dams and shortfall of gas supply to the thermal stations.

She said that the shortfalls were noticed in the last two weeks, adding that the government has taken measures to address the problems.

At a news conference in Abuja, Ibrahim, flanked by her counterparts in charge of Gas, Mr. Emanneul Odusina, and Information and Communications, John Odey, said the total quantity of electricity produced by the combined power plants in the country was only 870 Megawatt (mw) from 3000Mw in the last two weeks.

She said that the situation will improve as from Wednesday: "3000mw was generated from assets that are capable of producing about 4,500mw. While this was well below comfort zone, the generation dipped to about 2,300mw in the last few weeks. But that now, the overall generation dropped by 830mw due to low water levels, while additional 1,300mw is reduced by inadequate gas supply from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other delivery constraints," said Ibrahim.

She said the losses translate to a total of 2130mw of electrity.

Mr. Odusina said that the problem in gas supply was as a result of a loss of 225million standard cubic feet of gas from the Itorogo gas field run by Shell which supplies Egbin, Geregu and other thermal stations.

He said that Shell had to stop the gas supply because it supplied wet gas.

"At Itorogu where Shell supplies gas to Escravos, they only supply wet gas but we need dry gas to power the electricity turbines.

"This is why the Egbin and Geregu plants suffer from gas shortages, the minister said.

He said Shell was working round the clock to bring the situation under control by next Wednesday, adding that the Federal Government was taking the issue of gas supply very serious and has directed all IOCs to dedicate a certain percentage of the gas production to domestic use as an appropriate pricing template is being worked out.

On the water levels in the dams, Ibrahim said nothing can be done about it.

	1. 07-07-2008 18:17
	nigeria is the last country on earth without the electricity Guest

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	2. 25-06-2008 09:58
	Time Waits For No One Power supply is one of the most important first steps in building a nation, but i dont know if our leaders are ignorant of that. And what amazes me is that you dont hear concrete issues to solve the problem but rather solutions only for diplomatic purposes. Its Sad, really Sad. If not noted, time waits for no one and its clearly seen where countries that are far behind us are now way ahead of us. Lastly this is not Fantasy. Guest

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	3. 24-06-2008 18:46
	P.H.C.N its very infortunate for a country listed one of best resourceful country in africa suffering with poor power supply,i dont know where the problem comes from the F.G or the citizens. Guest

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	4. 21-05-2008 21:50
	Electricity? To your house OOO Nigerians.  There is no government to provide you with electricity Guest

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	5. 14-05-2008 10:32
	Electricity Saga in Naija Within the period of two weeks we have lost another 1000mw out of the 2000mw we have.    One day we will wakeup to realise that we dont even have any mw left and the country will be in total darkness. Is unfortunate, Mr President pls wakeup to the challenges. Guest

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	6. 11-05-2008 21:39
	nepa sense from the time that NEPA change there name PHCN (that is problem has came Nigeria) we Nigerians is better for us to know we don't have any thing like electricity in our country. and this our new president he is betrayer. he said he is going to archive his 7 jenda up to we deed no see any one 2 years Guest

mubarak sade

	7. 04-05-2008 19:31
	Dr I dont know where NEPA or whatever they are know called have the moral audacity in asking people to pay bills. How can you supply 10min of fluctuating electricity after 2wk in a month and still want to be paid for the month. This does not make sense to me, please can somebody explain to me! Guest

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	8. 04-05-2008 18:36
	power failure what is the solution? in every micro second people kept complaining upon the incredible power supply which sounds worse in every second.who are we to blame?is it the fg that are held responsible or poor nigerians that refuse to settle their bills appropriately?as time elapses it is better for fellow nigerians to put hand on desk to make things look better for forthcoming generation. Guest

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	9. 03-05-2008 19:00
	Snake in the Dam They once told us that the 760MW Kainji Power Station could not generate power because a python entered one of the stock pipes. At the rate things are going now, someone will soon orgnanize a conference to tell us that another snake has entered and blocked the gas pipeline. Anyway, I only pity those Nigerians that cannot afford a generator. As for me, I already have two generators delivering a total of 0.004MegaWatts to my private grid. Guest

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	10. 03-05-2008 10:14
	Electrcity,NAIJA's NEMESIS We are in trouble in Nigeria with the new approach to governeance.Once there is a problem ,they quickly gather together some officials who waste tax payers money organising press interview/conferences .    At the interview they further waste tax payers time reeling out excuses upon excuses.  Imagine !!water level!,lack of gas!!, etc.and a whole Min in charge of Power and her counterpart in charge of gas telling us stories.    While they gave flimsy excuses rather than perform Nigerians groan in darkness. May God deliver us. Guest

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