?
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has debunked insinuations that a nationwide blackout was imminent due to shutdown of some gas plants in the country.
?
The views of NNPC is contained in a statement issued by Dr Levi Ajuonuma, Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division NNPC, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN).
?
Ajuonuma quoted Mr Austen Oniwon NNPC Group Managing Director, as saying that the corporation and its joint venture partners had taken remedial measures for the envisaged?shutdown.
?
He said though there will be some shortfalls in gas supply, which in turn would affect the volume of power generation, “but it should not result in blackout’’.
?
“The maintenance work at the gas plants is not only routine, but it is also scheduled with the intention of improving gas supply to the power plants.
?
“We are positive that this cannot lead to nationwide blackout or total system collapse as being portrayed, ’’ he said.
?
Ajuonuma said that supplementary gas and reallocation to critical users was already being put in place in collaboration with all consumers, including PHCN.
?
“The move was to ensure that Nigerians do not suffer undue hardship because of the planned maintenance work,’’ he said.
?
The NNPC spokesman said gas plants billed for routine maintenance work from Tuesday include that of Shell Petroleum operated at Utorogu and Ughelli East facilities.
He gave the assurance that the corporation, in alliance with its joint venture partners, was doing everything possible to provide adequate gas for power, adding that there was no need to panic