The Federal Government has earmarked N1.99bn to purchase diesel for the State House’s power generators in 2025, as delays continue to plague its solar power project, which was initially expected to begin operations between December 2024 and January 2025.
According to sources, N88.75m was spent on diesel in the first half of 2024. Data from GovSpend, a platform that monitors government expenditures, shows four diesel payments between March 15 and May 20, 2024, totaling N88.75m.
On March 15, two payments were made: N40.77m to Emmahaly Petroleum Company Limited for 30,000 liters of diesel for the State House Clinic and the Vice President’s Guest House, and N12.46m to A.Y.M. Shafa Limited for 10 liters of diesel for the State House Medical Centre. On May 20, A.Y.M. Shafa Limited received an additional N26.23m for 20,000 liters, followed by N8.87m for another 20,000 liters delivered the same day.
In its 2025 budget proposal, the government has allocated N1.99bn to cover diesel costs for power plants and generators at the State House.
Officials familiar with the situation attribute the need for diesel to persistent issues with the national power grid, which continues to suffer frequent collapses.
Additionally, rising diesel prices and the high cost of maintaining generators have prompted the State House to seek an alternative energy solution.
Once operational, the planned 40MW solar power plant is expected to reduce the State House’s annual energy bill of N6bn by at least N5bn.
The solar project, which was initially slated to be completed by December 2024 for the State House Medical Centre and by January 2025 for the State House complex, has faced setbacks. While a 1.2MW solar plant was under construction at the Medical Centre in October 2024, work at the main State House complex remains stalled as of February 2025.
A source involved in the project said the reliance on diesel and inconsistent power is unsustainable. “It is difficult to sustain. We cannot continue like this. To reduce the huge expenditure, we are switching to solar power,” said the official. Once complete, the solar system will reduce the State House’s power costs significantly, providing energy from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Plans are in place to install solar panels at the car park and banquet hall, ensuring minimal impact on the aesthetics of the State House. These panels will be integrated into canopies over the parking areas, with energy stored in batteries for later use.
A separate source disclosed that the solar project is expected to generate 7MW of real-time output, with a peak capacity of 40MW. The project’s approval also includes provisions for 15 years of maintenance, with the contractor overseeing upkeep during that time.
The State House Medical Centre, which is a priority in the project, will receive a 1.2MW solar plant to support its critical operations. Dr. Dike Obalum, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, explained that the solar farm will provide reliable, uninterrupted power, safeguarding sensitive medical equipment and reducing reliance on external power providers.
Despite these efforts, the national grid continues to face frequent collapses, with more than 10 occurrences in 2024. The Transmission Company of Nigeria has cited “partial disturbances,” but the root causes remain unclear. Nigeria’s aging power infrastructure, coupled with sabotage, has further strained the grid.
In a bid to collect outstanding debts, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) threatened to disconnect government agencies, including the State House, for a combined N47.1bn debt. The State House disputed the N923m claim, stating that it owed only N342.35m, which President Bola Tinubu subsequently instructed be paid in full.
Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges stem from inadequate infrastructure and investment, compounded by security issues, such as the October attack on the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, which left 17 northern states without power for an extended period.
Punch
