Progress of Power Grid Hindered by Right-of-Way Issues and Funding Constraints.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is encountering significant obstacles in its mission to enhance the country’s power grid, as revealed by a recent visit from the Senate Committee on Power. In a statement issued after the visit, it was disclosed that more than 120 power projects are currently at a standstill due to right-of-way (RoW) challenges and funding shortages.
Aging infrastructure and the pressing need for capital investment were highlighted by Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu. He underscored the limitations posed by TCN’s aging infrastructure on its wheeling capacity, emphasizing the necessity for substantial capital injections to modernize the grid. While the financial requirements are significant, the potential benefits in terms of improved transmission efficiency are considerable.
Minister Adelabu also drew attention to the critical issue of right-of-way, citing permission hurdles that have stalled over 120 projects nationwide. Obtaining approval for building infrastructure on state or federal land remains a major bottleneck, echoing concerns raised in 2022 about RoW challenges impeding power sector investments worth $137 million.
Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director of TCN, added that some stalled projects date back to 2001, underscoring the longstanding nature of these issues. He identified funding as a major concern for TCN, exacerbating the challenges. Additionally, Abdulaziz lamented the persistent vandalism of power infrastructure, which continues to impede efforts to enhance transmission.
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In response, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, acknowledged the obstacles despite substantial budgetary allocations to the power sector. He pledged the committee’s support to advocate for TCN’s needs in the Senate and explore avenues to enhance power transmission capabilities through potential revisions to the annual budget.
This exchange underscores the multifaceted challenges confronting Nigeria’s power sector. Overcoming RoW bottlenecks, securing adequate funding, and combating infrastructure vandalism are imperative for advancing the national grid’s reliability and efficiency. With the Senate Committee’s commitment to address these hurdles, there is optimism for a future with a more dependable and stable power supply for Nigerians.
