Expert Suggests How Frequent Collapse Of National Grid Can Be Stopped

Kola Balogun, a power expert has said that appointing competent technocrats to manage sensitive technical power companies can reduce the frequent collapse of the national grid.

Balogun, the Chairman/CEO of Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Ltd. (MEMMCOL) disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Balogun decried the incessant system collapse, saying that the experience would continue if proactive measures are not put in place.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure more investments in infrastructure with close monitoring to validate problem-solving.

“The transmission system requires a very meticulous and competent personnel structure.

“This is especially when it comes to loading distribution, as it entails putting certain calculative preventive measures in place.

“The issue here is the lack of competence of the entire leadership and management of the transmission system.

“Let us assume we do not have the adequate infrastructure for transmission.

“I can assure you that if we have competent hands that understand the entire architecture of maintaining a standardised frequency threshold, there would be minimal records of these collapses,” he added.

He also said that impunity, insubordination and complacency had been encouraged in the industry.

According to him, the entire effort of the government will not make any meaning, if the government does not acknowledge that distribution substations are major obstacles hindering the stability of the power stations.

“My point exactly here is that the only interface we have today between the consumer and the DisCos is the distribution substation, but they are in a total state of dilapidation; an eye-sore.

“I can boldly say that the prime years of my life have been about electricity as I have worked with the power sector for the past 30 years.

“I owe every duty to advise the power sector on the way to go. This is the reason I took it upon myself to introduce the ‘Substation enhancement concept,’ just the way I introduced the prepayment concept in 1995.

“Unfortunately, most of the players are not adhering to this code, and that is the reason I have conducted the application of these new substations enhancement concepts across a few DisCos.

“This is for the nation to see that it is the way to go to have a stable and steady power supply as well as to guarantee the cost recovery of our investment in the upstream (Generation and Transmission Companies),” said Balogun.