Victor EzejaThe electricity shortage experienced in the Aba Ring-fenced Area, serviced by Aba Power, has been linked to a gas leak and facility process upset on the Associated Gas Gathering (AGG) facilities around the Rivers State capital axis.
Sources who didn’t want to be mentioned because they have no authority to speak to the press on the matter said the incidents occurred in the AGGs in Obigbo and Agbada, both on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“The incidents are at Obigbo near Port Harcourt and at Agbada, which is between Port Harcourt city and the airport,” stated one of the sources, who is an engineer with the NNPC Marketing Limited (NGML).
A gas specialist, Engineer Vincent Chukwueke, who used to be a top executive with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), explained that for safety reasons, such incidents may have caused Heirs Energies, the operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 17, to suspend gas supply since Friday to the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in the Osisioma Industrial Layout of Abia, which, in turn, provides electricity to Aba Power for distribution to the Aba Ring-fenced Area.
“It had to suspend gas supplies so as to quickly resolve the issues at the AGGs,” Chukwueke said.
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Aba Power Managing Director, Ugo Opiegbe, who confirmed the incident said the power firm has been constrained to rely on only 25MW supplied by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) since Friday when the 188MW embedded power plant stopped due to gas supply constraints.
“The supply from the NDPHC is a fraction of what we can generate from our three turbines, as each produces 47MW,” Opiegbe lamented.
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The Aba Power MD, who regretted that the reduction in electricity supply is coming during the Easter holidays, said they are working hard to address the problem and resume regular supply to the area, which comprises nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State.
“We are taking every step necessary to restore full supplies between today and tomorrow, so that our people can continue to enjoy the long holidays,” Opiegbe assured.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
