The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe has promised that Nigerians would begin to experience steady power supply by December, 2012, with plans already in motion to generate 5,400 mega watts from the current 4,400 mega watts.
The spokesman to the president stated this over the weekend, while also noting that the president was gradually delivering on the promises which he made to Nigerians before the election.
He said the electoral reform, which was part of his promises was gradually becoming a part of the nation, citing, the presidential election of 2011 which was adjudged the best globally, as well as that of Edo governorship election which was conducted recently under the watch of Jonathan’s administration.
Mr. Okupe also disclosed that construction work will commence on the Lagos-Ibadan road which has been described as a killer route by the Federal Road Safety Commission within the next four to six weeks.
Okupe debunked insinuations by some critics that power increased because of increase in the water level.
“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.
“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 why it is true 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, he said.