Blackout: Power Minister apologises to Nigerians, promises improved electricity supply

Nigerian Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has apologised to Nigerians over recent electricity outages, particularly in Lagos and other affected states, and assured residents that the government is working to improve power supply.

Mr Tegbe said the president also shared the concerns of Nigerians over the unreliable electricity supply, adding that the government was doing everything possible to address the challenges.

He spoke during an interview on TVC’s The Morning Brief, where he explained the causes of the recent disruptions and outlined measures to stabilise electricity supply.

The minister said the recent disruption was not a national grid collapse but a reduction in power supply caused by planned maintenance at the Egbin Power Plant and the vandalism of a transmission line serving Lagos.

According to him, the vandalised line is a 330-kilovolt transmission line that supplies the Lagos electricity complex with between 300 and 400 megawatts.

He said the disruption at Egbin also caused a loss of nearly 800 megawatts, forcing authorities to introduce load shedding across Lagos, Ogun, and parts of Kwara State.

Nigerians deserve to have electricity. It is not a big deal, and it is not rocket science,” he said.

He acknowledged that much of the country’s electricity infrastructure was old but said the government had made progress in restoring supply.

The minister said he had earlier assured Nigerians that the disruption would be resolved within 48 to 72 hours, adding that the government had made significant progress towards that commitment.

He said the Lagos electricity complex was receiving about 1,000 megawatts as of the previous night and Monday morning, while Egbin’s ST1 turbine had returned to operation.