The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to urgently probe the frequent collapses of the country’s power grid.
This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Need to investigate the recent frequent collapse of the national grid moved by the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State, Mr Billy Osawuru.
Leading the debate on the floor of the House on Wednesday, Osawuru commended the Federal Government for the proposed plan to increase power capacity to 20,000 megawatts from the 12,522 MW projected within the next three years, as contained in the Electricity Act, 2023 signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
He, however, added that in a space of one week in August 2023, the country recorded three national grid collapses.
The national grid collapsed twice within six hours on August 19, 2023.
He further argued that the frequent grid collapses in 2024 had negatively impacted the economy, “Reducing industrial output and raising manufacturing expenses.”
According to Osawuru, firms operating in the country “are forced to invest in alternate power sources, thus, raising operational costs and leaving end users with exorbitant prices, which citizens cannot afford, especially with subsidy removal effects”.
It will be recalled that the country has been facing multiple challenges of insecurity.
Security experts argued that grip collapse helped criminals to perpetrate their activities under the cover of darkness.
The lawmaker also maintained that if the frequent national grid collapses are thoroughly investigated and solutions proffered, the economy would be better off and citizens’ welfare enhanced.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated the Committee on Power to liaise with critical stakeholders in the power sector “to urgently investigate and proffer solutions to the embarrassing development and report back within four weeks for further legislative action”.
