NNPC Targets Completion of Repairs of Gas Pipelines September

• TCN restores power supply to Maiduguri

Ejiofor Alike

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has given an assurance that it would complete the repairs of all vandalised gas pipelines by September 2016 to boost gas supply to the power generating plants.

This is coming as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has also disclosed that it has restored power supply to Maiduguri in Borno State, which was disrupted by insurgency in the North East.

NNPC made this commitment at the recent seventh monthly meeting of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and the operators in the power sector, which was held at the Benin Transmission State in Edo State.

According to a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the corporation acknowledged the current gas constraints to the power sector and assured that it was taking steps to improve gas supply to power plants.

“The Corporation also discussed new supply additions from alternative sources as well as improving the readiness of power plants to receive gas which should improve power supply in the country,” said the communiqué.

The power sector was worst hit by the vandalism of the 48-inch subsea Forcados Pipeline, which was bombed by the Niger Delta Avengers in February this year.

Shell, which operates the pipeline had targeted to complete the repairs by May 29 but fresh attacks and threats by the militants delayed the repairs.

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had revealed that the repairs would be completed by next month.

At the monthly meeting, TCN noted that following decisions arising from the last meeting in Kano, repairs to the Okpai-Onitsha line had been completed and power also restored to Maiduguri.
The company also stated that it has also commenced restoration of transformers to Rimin-Zakara in Kano State to be completed in 2017.

Also discussing ongoing projects to support distribution in Benin Disco’s coverage area; TCN listed a substation in Akure which it said was now 80 per cent complete, the completion of a substation in Ughelli, currently being inspected by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the completion of projects in Ihovbor, Okada, Irrua and Oghara to enhance the transmission of power to Benin Disco.

The monthly meeting, which is in furtherance of identifying, discussing and finding practical solutions to issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, had in attendance Managing Directors and CEOs of Generating Companies, Distribution Companies, and the TCN.