Nigeria's ruling party links power shortage to attacks

LAGOS, Nigeria

Power generation has dropped significantly across Nigeria after attacks on gas pipelines in the volatile delta region, according to the country's ruling All Progressive Congress.

In a statement made on Twitter Monday, the party said: “Last week's attacks by militants, targeting Chevron facilities in Escravos, have caused a drop in power generation from 3,400MW [megawatts] to 2,500MW [megawatts].”

The drop in power supply has affected several parts of the country.

The administration of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, which during its election campaign promised to generate 20,000 megawatts within four years, reported a record 5,000-megawatt generation in January this year. But since then power generation has consistently dropped since militants resumed bombings in parts of the delta region.

Last Thursday, a militant group called the Niger Delta Avenger claimed responsibility for blowing up a key oil platform operated by Chevron, the second time in about two months.

The same group had blown up Forcados’ 48-inch pipeline in the region in February, resulting in a cut in gas supply and countrywide power outage.