Nigerians face the prospect of a nationwide blackout beginning Monday as thermal power plants prepare to shut down following directives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC) confirmed on Sunday that gas suppliers have already issued shutdown notices to thermal stations, which generate more than 70 per cent of the country’s electricity supply.
Dr. Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary of the APGC, disclosed the development in a message to operators.“Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN.
The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” she said.
She warned that the shutdown could plunge the country into total darkness.
“Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” Ogaji added.
The warning comes hours after PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a statement signed after its emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, PENGASSAN ordered members in all oil and gas facilities to down tools until the workers were recalled.
The action, if sustained, will paralyse crude production, fuel distribution, gas supply, and now electricity generation, compounding the hardship of Nigerians already battling economic pressure.