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Nigeria to clear financial obligation, repair gas shortages in plan to end power problems

Nigeria prepares to fix its chronic power problems by settling arrearages of about $2.16. billion to energy manufacturers and dealing with gas supply scarcities to. generating companies, the power minister said on Wednesday.

Africa's largest economy has 12,500 megawatts of set up. capability however only produces about a quarter of that, forcing. families and organizations, including manufacturers to resort to. diesel and fuel generators.

Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu informed press reporters on Wednesday. that outstanding debts, inadequate gas supplies and aging. devices were the crucial barriers hindering ideal power output.

Adelabu said power generators are presently owed 1.3. trillion naira ($ 858.65 million), in addition to a $1.3 billion. legacy financial obligation from a years ago.

Part of preparation to reverse and change the sector. is the settlement of existing arrearage obligations to. the gas supply and power generation business using partially cash. payments and ensured financial obligation instruments, he stated.

Recently, Adebalu proposed a naira payment for gas sales to. power plants as an option to fix dollar scarcities as expenses. are anticipated to swell after a 2nd currency devaluation in. less than a year.

Because, natural gas is sold in dollars to power plants. investments connected to developing gas processors and pipelines are. priced and spent for in dollars.

Grid power is irregular in Nigeria, Africa's most populous. country. The grid collapsed on Feb. 4, triggering a national. blackout, and at least three times in 2023, which authorities. blamed on technical problems.

(source: Reuters)