The Nigerian electricity distribution companies have defended their decision to export power to Togo despite the country's own power crisis. According to Sunday Oduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Nigeria must honour its agreement with Togo, which cannot be ignored.
The main reason for Nigeria's power shortages, Oduntan explained, is a lack of gas supply, which limits the amount of power that can be generated. The government is working to address this issue by ensuring that payments are made to key players in the sector. However, Oduntan questioned the idea of stopping power supply to Togo, pointing out that the country pays for the electricity it receives, which helps to ease the financial challenges facing electricity distribution companies.
In contrast, many Nigerian customers do not pay their bills or steal electricity, while international customers pay regularly. Oduntan argued that instead of focusing on stopping exports, the government should work on increasing electricity generation. He emphasized that improving power supply depends on paying all stakeholders in the sector.
The Togolese government is interested in increasing the amount of electricity it imports from Nigeria to meet its growing energy demand. Togo currently buys about 75 megawatt-hours of electricity from Nigeria, which has helped to maintain stable and affordable power for homes, businesses, and public services.
The decision to export power to Togo while Nigerians face power shortages is a stark reminder of the country's energy crisis. Sunday Oduntan's assertion that Nigeria must honour its agreement with Togo raises questions about the government's priorities. While it is true that Togo pays for the electricity it receives, the fact remains that many Nigerians are struggling to access reliable power. The government's failure to address the gas supply issue and ensure that all stakeholders are paid is exacerbating the problem. The focus should be on increasing electricity generation and improving power supply for all Nigerians, not just international customers.
