Power Minister Blames Saboteurs and Cartels for Electricity Woes, Advocates State Investment and Rural Electrification
Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, has pointed the finger at saboteurs and cartels within the electricity sector for the country’s persistent power outages. Speaking at a program titled “Confronting Nigeria’s Power Challenge as the Nation Migrates to a Multi-Tier Electricity Market” in Abuja, Adelabu condemned these malicious actors and their attempts to thwart efforts towards stable power supply.
Combating Internal Threats and Seeking Solutions
The Minister emphasized the need to propel Nigeria towards a future of reliable electricity and economic productivity. He revealed plans to build reserves that can prevent future grid collapses. Additionally, he hinted at a potential liberalization of the power sector, aiming to improve efficiency.
Encouraging State Participation and Responsible Investment
Adelabu applauded states like Abia for taking initiative in power generation. He announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had granted similar rights to Ekiti and Enugu states to generate and manage their own electricity tariffs.
The Minister expressed concern over investors relying heavily on loans instead of personal capital to operate within the sector. He assured that, with time, stricter regulations would ensure responsible investment practices for the benefit of the entire system.
Rural Electrification and Prioritizing Industry
Deepening rural electrification was another key point raised by Adelabu. He stressed the importance of collaboration with state governments to achieve this goal. The Minister also highlighted the issue of over 100 unfinished power projects across the nation, emphasizing that these projects need completion to function efficiently.
Industry Leader Calls for Prioritization and Sequencing
Kola Adeshina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, echoed the frustration of many Nigerians regarding the country’s inability to utilize its abundant gas resources for reliable electricity generation. He emphasized the need for electricity to be a top budgetary priority for the nation’s progress.
Adeshina proposed that the government prioritize industrial areas for power distribution during the day, allowing them to maximize production. Residential areas, he suggested, could receive electricity during non-peak hours. This approach, he argued, would optimize value creation and address the problem of frequent blackouts.
The call for a multi-pronged approach, tackling internal sabotage, encouraging responsible investment, and prioritizing strategic electrification, paves the way for a potential future with more stable and efficient power supply for all Nigerians
