by Isi Esene

Doyin Okupe, the senior special assistant to the president on Public Affairs over the weekend announced that Nigerians would begin to experience uninterrupted power supply by December, 2012.

He said the Federal Government has concluded plans to generate 5,400 mega watts from the current 4,400 mega watts.

He maintained that there has been a gradual improvement in power generation due to the efforts of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration which is focused on delivering on its promises regarding the power sector.

According to reports, the presidential aide said, “When the President assumed office, the energy capacity of the country at that time ranged between 1,900 megawatts to some 2,200 megawatts. The Independent Power Projects, 10 of them were grounded and nearly moribund, but today Nigeria is generating in excess of 4,400 megawatts of electricity.

He did not waste the opportunity to throw verbal jabs at perceived opponents of the Jonathan administration saying, “Some cynics have said this is due to high level of water in the hydro generating plants in Shiroro and Kanji. This isn’t true.”

“I can tell you authoritatively that every year there is a marginal increase in power supply, because of the increased contribution in the hydro plants, that cannot account for the 15 hours or so that is being currently enjoyed in many parts of the country.”

The reason for this additional increase is coming from the NIPP that are now adding between 600 and 800 megawatts to the national grid. That’s what is responsible for this new improvement and between now and December, we are expecting nearly an additional 1,000 megawatts, because of increase and an arrangement that have been made for purchase and supply of gas to some of these NIPP projects. More areas will enjoy longer hours of electricity supply by December,” he assured.

Why does this sound all too familiar?