Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that Niger Republic presently owes Nigeria N4.22bn ($5.48m) for the provision of electricity.
This was contained in the NERC’s first quarter report released on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
According to the report, Niger’s state power firm, Nigerien Electricity Society, was yet to remit the $5.48m invoice issued for power supply by the Nigerian market operator.
“None of the underlisted international customers made any payment against the cumulative $16.11m invoice issued to them in 2023/Q1; Paras-SBEE ($3.46m), Transcorp-SBEE ($3.85 million), Mainstream-NIGELEC ($5.48m) and Odukpani-CEET ($3.32 million).
“Out of N842.38m invoice issued by MO to all the eight (8) bilateral customers in the NESI, only North-South/Star Pipe made a remittance of N15.38m against its invoice of N24.69m,” it stated.
In 2022, 70% of Niger’s share of electricity was purchased from the Nigerian business Mainstream, according to a report by NIGELEC, the country’s sole electricity supplier.
Kainji Dam in Niger State produces the electricity that is delivered to Niger.
Niger is working to finish its first dam by 2025 in order to break its energy dependence on Nigeria.
The $5.48 million invoice for electricity supply issued by the Nigerian market operator has reportedly not been paid by Nigerien Electricity Society, the country of Niger’s state-owned power company.
Meanwhile, NERC has ordered the Market Operator to use the clause in the market regulations to stop the various market players’ payment indiscipline.
According to a report by AFP, which cited industry sources through local manufacturing, said that Nigeria disconnected the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger since Tuesday last week
For about one hour at a stretch, residents of Niamey, Maradi, and Zinder received power before it was shut off for up to five hours. In Niger, where supplies are often consistent and reliable, power outages like these are uncommon.
Kunle Olubiyo, the coordinator of Power Sector Perspectives and president of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, confirmed that ECOWAS would cut off the Niger Republic’s access to the energy grid.
“About 60 percent of power supply to Niger comes from Nigeria. Just like organised labour usually shuts down the national power grid as part of negotiations when all appeals might have failed to achieve results, Mr President (Tinubu) is the leader of ECOWAS at the moment.
“Disconnection of power supply is seen as a low-hanging fruit,” Olubiyo said
The Kandadji Dam, which is situated about 180 km upstream of Niamey, is anticipated to produce 629 gigawatt-hours of energy annually.
Major cities in Niger are reportedly experiencing rolling blackouts as a result of last week’s coup, according to a BBC story.
Nigerians React:
Haba Nigeria, so it is after the Coup that you realise you are owed N4b? You people are shameless. Do you think Nigerians are fools? Since there is now a Court action regarding acts of aggression against the Republic of Niger, you have now decided to look for excuses and reasons to justify your agenda to frustrate our brothers & sisters in Niger? I am disappointed in this.
President Tinubu, I never expected this from you. I thought you are supposed to be a humanitarian leader – maybe that was just to score cheap political points and convince the gullible people of Nigeria. This act of wickedness to plunge the people of Niger into perpetual darkness for a popular change of government which they desire is unacceptable.
Bello Adamu, Trader, Katsina.
* President Tinubu should be bold and Courageous as a leader to take responsibility for his actions and stop hiding under all sorts of Agencies as if we are fools. Now, he sent the NERC – electricity regulatory agency to take responsibility for disconnecting power to Republic of Niger when every Nigerian knows its because of the change in government. Just like sending Sanusi to Republic of Niger and not accepting responsibility. Please stop these games. Nigerians want & need an honest leader who will tell them exactly as things are, and who they can trust and die for!!!!! We are sad by this wicked act to the innocent people of Niger who have been thrown in darkness, no light, no way to store food, no electricity to survive with pumping of water to drink, bath, cook, etc. This is so unfair. Northern Nigeria and Niger are all the same. President TINUBU should be advised to adjust now before it’s too late. Before God removes the power from him to put innocent people in darkness & hardship.
Hajiya Amina Mohammed. Trader, Kano.
* I sympathise with the people of Niger Republic that our government cut off their power supply abruptly without notice. It is inhuman. I can’t place President TINUBU now to TINUBU the politician who has been helping so many people. What went wrong? Has he become power drunk? Has he forgotten God? Is someone pushing him? I don’t know what to think. All I know is that he has changed. It is so sad. I will pray for him because I voted for him and mobilised for his election. It is the work of Shaytan. How can such a nice man be wicked to Niger people. Innocent people are dying because he cut the power. One yoruba woman was crying in a video. Why is he being wicked to everybody. God should save President TINUBU from Shaytan. That’s my prayer.
Shadiya Musa, Zamfara
Nigerians React:
Walahi, my uncle is an Ulama in Niger. If Tinubu no return electricity for Niger, his government will fall before 6 months. My uncle prayed for Bazoum government to fall because Bazoum is too arrogant. My uncle pray well in Niger. Make nobody beg Tinubu. As he put us for darkness, his government, his life go dey darkness till light come. We can send genie to him for Abuja to show him Niger power soon. Me, I give Tinubu 7 days to give us light in Niger or face spiritual warfare like Bazoum.
Ulama Shehu Ringim., Islamic cleric. Jigawa.
* Somebody said, he whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad!!!! President Tinubu should please change his government to have a human face. I am not from the North, but I feel for the people of Niger. Its up to them to decide their Leader. Let them be abeg. Face your people in Nigeria. We have big problems here mbok!!!!!! God will help you.
Effiong Bassey, Teacher, Akwa Ibom.
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