The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that electricity supply will be restored within 24 to 48 hours.
According to him, the power supply decline was temporary and efforts were ongoing to restore normal supply within the stated timeframe.
The minister reiterated the assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, in Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, the minister said the decline in power supply was triggered by an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline and incidents of vandalism on gas facilities in the Niger Delta, which affected gas supply to several thermal power plants and led to reduced electricity generation nationwide.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator confirmed that the disruptions resulted in a significant reduction in available generation, as a number of gas-fired power stations recorded low output, causing power supply shortfalls to electricity consumers.
Adelabu emphasised the urgency of restoring electricity supply in view of increased demand during the Yuletide season and directed relevant agencies to intensify efforts to meet the restoration timeline, while urging Nigerians to remain patient as the power supply stabilises.
The event brought together the Nigerian Independent System Operator, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, power generation and distribution companies, as well as officials of the Ministry of Power.