The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the recurring national grid failures that have thrown the country into repeated power outages.
This decision was made during a plenary session following an urgent motion raised by Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, a lawmaker from Bauchi representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hon. Soro expressed deep concern over the continuous grid collapses, which have worsened Nigeria’s already fragile economy.
He warned that the power crisis is crippling essential sectors, leading to increased suffering for Nigerians.
According to Soro, the lack of stable electricity is a major obstacle to economic growth and development.
The national grid has collapsed multiple times in 2024 alone, with many areas left in complete darkness.
“These grid failures are becoming far too common,” Hon. Soro said, emphasizing that the situation has caused chaos across the country.
He pointed out that regions in the North West and North East have been the hardest hit by the outages.
For weeks, states in these areas have faced near-total blackouts, severely affecting businesses and livelihoods.
Many communities have struggled to survive without electricity, and the national power supply remains unstable.
The House, in response to the alarming situation, has directed its Committee on Power to investigate the root causes of the grid instability.
The committee is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within three weeks.
Nigerians are awaiting the outcome of this investigation with great anticipation, as many feel the government has not done enough to solve the power crisis.
Electricity Crisis Deepens
The continuous collapse of the national grid has been a growing problem for years.
Experts argue that Nigeria’s power infrastructure is outdated, poorly maintained, and cannot meet the energy needs of the nation.
Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, requires a stable and reliable power grid to drive its economy.
Yet, despite billions of naira invested in the power sector, the grid remains fragile.
The impact of these frequent blackouts is devastating.
Factories are unable to operate at full capacity, businesses are forced to rely on expensive generators, and households endure long hours without power.
The economic loss from these outages runs into millions of dollars, further complicating the nation’s financial challenges.
In recent months, the situation has only worsened.
Promises of Improved Power Fall Flat
Many Nigerians feel betrayed by promises of better electricity supply.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Power assured the public that efforts were being made to improve the national grid.
He promised that power delivery would improve, leading to increased tariffs for Band A customers, those expected to benefit from a more stable supply.
However, these assurances have been met with frustration.
The national grid has continued to collapse, even after the tariff increase, leaving consumers wondering where the improvement is.
“The Minister said we would get better electricity, but we are still in darkness,” lamented a Lagos resident, who has been without power for days.
This sentiment is shared by millions across the country, who are tired of living in uncertainty about when the next blackout will hit.
Calls for Urgent Action
Hon. Soro’s motion has raised hopes that the House investigation will lead to real solutions.
He urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the entity responsible for managing the grid, to act quickly and restore power to affected regions.
Soro noted that despite assurances from the government, the North West and North East regions have been left in darkness.
“The people in these areas are suffering,” he said, calling on TCN to prioritize their needs.
The lawmaker also pointed out that stable electricity is crucial for national security, as the ongoing blackouts could fuel unrest in already fragile areas.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has yet to issue a detailed explanation for the repeated collapses, but many believe that poor management and lack of investment are to blame.
Some energy experts have called for a complete overhaul of the power sector, including the privatization of key assets, to improve efficiency.
Long Road Ahead
The House of Representatives’ decision to investigate the power crisis comes at a critical time.
The Nigerian economy is struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and high unemployment rates.
A reliable power supply is essential to kickstart economic growth and attract foreign investment.
Many analysts agree that without major reforms in the power sector, Nigeria will continue to suffer from these crippling blackouts.
The three-week timeline for the investigation means that the House Committee on Power must move swiftly to uncover the reasons behind the grid collapses.
