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GenCos Lament Huge Loss To Grid Collapses, underutilised capacity, Proffer Solutions
From Lateef Taiwo
Electricity generating companies, GenCos, in Nigeria have expressed grave concern over the incessant collapse of the national grid as being experienced in recent times, and underutilised capacity, saying they causes them huge, multi-dimensional loss capable of crippling business.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies, APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, made this known on Thursday in Abuja, while speaking at a one-day workshop organised by the association to update journalists covering the power sector to enable them report, especially as it concerns the GenCos, from an informed point of view.
According to her, GenCos bear the burnt of grid collapse or instability, or whatever nomenclature is used to describe it as it has a very devastating effect on the hydro and thermal machinery, leading to technical and commercial losses.
Dr Ogaji noted the forced shutdown and disruptions that usually come with grid collapse, resulting in equipment damage and substantial revenue losses for GenCos in addition to the lingering issue of capacity underutilisation pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s power sector.
“Technically, grid collapse can cause catastrophic damage to generators, transformers, and other critical infrastructure, leading to prolonged downtime and costly repairs.submitted that addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from government, regulatory bodies, and the power sector to improve infrastructure, enforce maintenance protocols, and ensure financial viability for GenCos,” she said.
Putting into consideration that the weakness of any segment of the industry value chain could trigger grid collapse, as agreed by stakeholders at the workshop, Ogaji said, “Given the frequency of grid collapses in the country and the impact of it on our business we have thought it wise to provide clarification on how it affects our businesses.
“We therefore need to make every effort to efficiently manage all stages of value chain with intentional focus on maximizing efficiency in the entire electricity chain.”
Collaborating the APGA’s position, an expert, an industry expert, Prof. Stephen Ogaji, said the frequent shutdown and startup instructions from the National Control Centre (NCC) and grid collapse (Turbine Trip) had resulted in huge damage to equipment that requires millions of dollars to fix, energy and revenue losses to the sector, especially the generation companies.
He therefore, recommended that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, approves the procurement of ancillary services that provide secondary controls, spinning reserve, while the system operator should strive to complete and commission the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, SCADA, system project to enable them to oversee all the power systems properly.
He also urged the system operator to put in effect the earlier proposed Generation Dispatch Tool, GDT, and implement and enforce all the provisions of the Grid Code.
The Grid Collapse has become a recurring decimal in the country in recent times. This year alone, the grid has collapsed about 12 times, according to a record.
The World Bank data on countries with the most electricity outages in Africa showed that in 2019, Nigeria suffered outages for 191 days out of 365.
The economic cost of power shortages in Nigeria is estimated at around $28 billion annually—equivalent to two percent (2%) of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Record from Kainji and Jebba HydroPower Plants showed that the two GenCos lost over N30.55 billion to grid failure from 2022 through 2024.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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