A recently published first quarter report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, has indicated that Niger is currently indebted to Nigeria in the amount of N4.22 billion ($5.48 million at an exchange rate of $1 to N769.27) for power delivery.
Based on the report, it has been observed that the Nigerien Electricity Society, which is the state power firm of Niger, has not yet fulfilled the payment of the $5.48 million invoice that was issued by the Nigerian market operator for the provision of electricity.
“None of the underlisted international customers made any payment against the cumulative $16.11m invoice issued to them in 2023/Q1; Paras-SBEE ($3.46m), Transcorp-SBEE ($3.85 million), Mainstream-NIGELEC ($5.48m) and Odukpani-CEET ($3.32 million).
“Out of N842.38m invoice issued by MO to all the eight (8) bilateral customers in the NESI, only North-South/Star Pipe made a remittance of N15.38m against its invoice of N24.69m,” it stated.
The NERC has mandated the Market Operator to enforce the provisions of the market regulations in order to address the issue of payment indiscipline displayed by the different players in the market.
According to a recent report by The PUNCH, the transmission of electricity from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger was halted on August 2nd.
In the preceding week, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, made the decision to impose sanctions on the military members in Niger who orchestrated a coup d’état, therefore overthrowing the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
For the supply of electricity, NIGELEC has a contract with Mainstream Energy, a power company in Nigeria.
In accordance with numerous Transaction Service Agreements, Nigeria also sells energy to the Republics of Benin and Niger.
“Nigeria disconnected since Tuesday (last week) the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger,” a report by AFP said, quoting industry sources through local production
