About 80 per cent of the total quantum of electricity consumed in the Republic of Benin is supplied by Nigeria and the neighboring country enjoys more stable electricity than its bulk supplier of power.
Aside from the Republic of Benin, Nigeria, through its electricity transmission company, supplies power to the republics of Niger and Chad and these countries are classified as international customers in the Nigerian power sector.
Historically, Niger and Benin republics get at least 300 megawatts of electricity from Nigeria everyday, but the international customers usually default in the prompt payment for such supplies.
Although the Transmission Company of Nigeria has explained why power supply is more stable in the neighbouring countries, particularly in the Republic of Benin than it i in Nigeria, key consumer groups as well as institutions of commerce see the development as awful.
Many parts of Nigeria still experience blackout, as the total quantum of electricity generated, transmitted and distributed across the country hovers between 3,500MW and 5,000MW for about 200 million people.
The meagre quantum of electricity and its instability in supply are often worsened by the repeated collapse of the country’s power grid.