KEY POINTS

• Adelabu, a Power Minister, blames grid collapses on vandalism, no maintenance.
• System reviews and staff training are recommended to improve grid reliability, according to a committee report.
• N12.7 billion allocated by FG for metering army barracks across Nigeria.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu says Nigeria’s recent grid collapses are due to vandalism, theft and not well maintained.

In Abuja on Wednesday, during a ceremony where he received a report from the committee set up to address grid collapses, Adelabu stated that the Federal Government is making grid collapses a priority. He would review the report and submit recommendations to President Bola Tinubu.

The causes and solutions to mitigating grid instability

The committee, led by Mrs Nafisat Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator (ISO), illustrated some recent collapses especially damage to lightning arrestors at Jebba and Oshogbo transmission stations and explosion at Jebba Station.

The committee also recommended that a comprehensive review of relaying systems be conducted within a month’s time. While also suggesting capacity building for the maintenance staff and testing equipment at the critical nodes to know about future problems.

Recommendations that have financial cost will be proposed to be included in the 2025 budget or supplementary funding, Ali added.

Also acknowledging that stakeholders responded quickly in restoring power after the collapses, which did not exceed 24 hours.

Metering in army barracks: funding

Apart from stabilizing grid, Minister Adelabu also revealed that the Federal Government has made available N12.7 billion for meter provision in army barracks across the country. All in a bid to encourage effective energy use and correct bills.