Business
Kunle Olubiyo Blames TCN for Frequent National Grid Collapses
Kunle Olubiyo, the President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, has expressed serious concerns regarding the frequent collapses of the national power grid, emphasizing that these incidents highlight the deficiencies within the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
His comments come in response to the sixth grid failure of 2024, which occurred on Monday at approximately 6:48 PM, leaving many parts of the country plunged into darkness once again.
While the TCN characterized this collapse as partial and assured that restoration efforts were underway, many Nigerians remained without power hours later.
Olubiyo criticized TCN for its history of responding to such crises with mere platitudes rather than effective solutions.
He stated that the repeated failures of the national grid, along with ongoing challenges related to its stability and reliability, stem from a lack of genuine commitment to addressing these issues.
He remarked, “The repeated occurrences of system collapses and challenges to the National Grid’s stability are largely due to the management’s insincerity and their tendency to pay lip service to a broad range of problems while misplacing priorities over the years.”
Olubiyo pointed out that inadequate investment in necessary network improvements, insufficient protective systems, and a near-total lack of vegetation control have all contributed to the ongoing crises.
He emphasized that these issues have been recognized for some time but have received little attention from TCN’s leadership.
The pattern of grid collapses is alarming, with previous failures recorded on February 4, July 6, August, and September 19 of this year alone.
According to TCN data, the national grid has suffered over 227 collapses in the last 14 years, underscoring a chronic problem in the country’s electricity supply system.
This situation is particularly troubling given that electricity tariffs were increased by 240 percent in April, further straining the financial burdens on Nigerian households and businesses.
As power outages continue to affect daily life, the call for accountability and effective management within TCN becomes increasingly urgent.
Olubiyo’s insights reflect the frustrations of many Nigerians who are tired of empty promises and inadequate responses to a crisis that has persisted for far too long.
The need for immediate, substantial reforms in the management of Nigeria’s electricity supply is clearer than ever, as citizens hope for a stable and reliable power system that meets their needs.
Concerns have been raised by The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance, concerning the Investment and Securities Bill which was proposed. The bill aims to replace 2007 Act and to update capital market regulations.
The CBN representative, Dr Tukur at the National Assembly hearing, opposed to the granting of the Securities and Exchange Commission over the public companies.
The Finance Minster, Wale Edun also emphasize on the impact of the bill and the provision it will offer the SEC board members. However the SEC Director General defended the bill and stated it has a benefitting role in Nigeria’s capital market globally.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, recently shared his concerns about a purported conspiracy involving an oil cabal in Nigeria, working in collusion with international oil companies (IOCs) to undermine the operations of private refineries, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Speaking at the November 2024 Abuja Special Holy Ghost service, Adeboye called on Nigerians to pray for divine intervention,
He believes that these unscrupulous oil marketers are intentionally working to create difficulties for the public, especially in light of their efforts to hinder the operations of the Dangote refinery.
Adeboye pointed out that Dangote’s refinery came as a response to the failure of the public refineries and the ongoing struggle Nigeria faces in trying to refine its own crude oil.
Despite being one of the world’s largest oil producers, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on importing refined petrol, a situation that has sparked frustration and concern among citizens.
“Are we under a curse?” Adeboye questioned, highlighting the irony that the country with vast oil reserves struggles to refine its own products.
He further praised Dangote for his determination to help alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
“He is not my relative, not even from my village, and not a Christian. But as a Nigerian, he saw the suffering of the people and decided to build a refinery that could work,” Adeboye remarked.
In a positive development for Dangote Refinery, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reached an agreement to buy petrol directly from the refinery, bypassing the usual importation channels.
However, Nigerians are still facing high fuel prices, with petrol being sold for as much as N1060 to N1200 at various NNPC stations and other retail outlets across the country, leaving many questioning when the country will truly see the benefits of its oil wealth.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) recently revealed that Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will become more affordable for Nigerians, with a planned price reduction of N50 per liter.
This announcement came from IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Maigandi, during a Tuesday interview with Channels Television.
Maigandi disclosed that the price cut follows a recent agreement between IPMAN and Dangote Refinery, which will now directly supply petrol to IPMAN members at a lower rate.
Under the new agreement, Dangote Refinery will sell petrol to IPMAN members at N940 per liter for depot purchases and N990 per liter for trucks.
With these adjusted rates, independent marketers who have been selling petrol for as high as N1,200 per liter in locations like Maiduguri will now be able to drop their prices to around N1,150 or potentially even lower.
Maigandi mentioned that the adjustment depends on location, as transport and logistics costs can vary, but he expects to see the benefits reach customers soon.
Maigandi also shared some insight into the new purchasing arrangements.
IPMAN members have two main options: they can either transport fuel directly from the Dangote Refinery to their depots or purchase it directly for trucks.
These measures are expected to streamline the distribution process, reducing dependence on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as the primary distributor of Dangote’s petrol.
Currently, Nigerians are paying between N1,060 and N1,200 per liter at NNPCL outlets and other stations, so the new pricing arrangement with IPMAN is a welcome move for the average consumer facing high fuel costs.
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