Technical investigative panel on power system collapses calls for speed in completion of work on transmission lines.

[FMINigeria]

                        In line with the promise of the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, the findings and recommendations of the Technical Investigative Panel on Power System Collapses have been made public.

The Minister had commended the panel members, while receiving the report on Monday, 24 June, 2013, for exhibiting a high sense of responsibility and commitment on the assignment, and also delivering within the two-week deadline given to them.

He announced that the panel would be co-opted into the process of implementing their own recommendations, to achieve the best results.

In its findings made available to the media in Abuja,

the Investigative Panel on System Collapses established that most of the 15 collapses looked into were attributable to the following:-

- Inadequate infrastructure for system disturbance management,

- Obsolete transmission equipment requiring urgent replacement or upgrade,

- Manpower and skill gaps due to long period of non-recruitment and aging workforce,

- Vegetation challenges along the lines in swampy and difficult terrain with security issues,

and

- Vandalism of transmission infrastructure and gas pipelines leading to substantial loss of generation and system instability,

The panel therefore recommended among other things, the following immediate actions to check the incidence of collapses and resultant drop in power supply:-

- Commissioning within two months of the completed Ajaokuta-Lokoja–Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV line,

- Fast tracking the completion of Alaoji–Ikot Ekpene–Ugwuaji–Makurdi–Jos and Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV lines.

- Programmed equipment replacement and upgrade starting with those of high impact and achievable within a few weeks,

- Robust intervention to clear offensive vegetation in all parts of the network, enlisting the support of host communities and appropriate security agencies,

- Review of deployment of existing technical manpower for optimal impact,

- Fast track the recruitment and training of new staff to fill critical manpower gaps in TCN.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo set up and inaugurated a high level technical panel to critically look into the issue of system collapses which became frequent in recent times, threatening to frustrate government's efforts at increasing power generation and transmission.

The 13-member Panel, headed by Engineer Fatai Olapade, a former Director Electrical Inspectorate Services in the Ministry, presented its report to the Minister on Monday, 24th June, 2013, exactly two weeks after its inauguration.

Others members of the panel include Engr. Sanusi Garba, Director Power; Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman NERC; Engr. Becks Dagogo Jack, Chairman PTFP; Engr. Jonathan Ogbonna, former CEO Egbin Power Station; Engr. Kingsley Achiefe, former Executive Director PHCN; Engr. Imo Ekpo Vice President, International Commission of Large Dams; Mr. James Olotu, CEO NDPHC; Engr. Mike Uzoigwe, CEO Egbin Power Station; Engr. Chris Akamnonu, CEO Ikeja DISCO; Mr. Don Priestman, CEO Transmission Company of Nigeria; Mr. Kunle Olubiyi, President, Network for Energy Reform; and Engr. Abayomi Adebisi, Ag. Director EIS.

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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria